Trainer Jason Thompson has announced megastar Hooked On Scotch has retired.
Dubbed “the fastest chaser on the planet”, Hooked On Scotch departs the racing scene as a five-time group race winner – G1 Hobart Thousand, G1 Adelaide Cup, G2 Geelong Gold Cup, G3 Shootout and G3 Speed Star.
He was also a finalist in the G1 Melbourne Cup (3rd) and G1 Brisbane Cup (5th) and set a new 515m track record (28.94sec) winning a heat of the Melbourne Cup.
Hooked On Scotch (Dec ’17 Barcia Bale x Nicki Fields) raced on 27 occasions for 16 wins two seconds and four thirds, with stakes totalling $372,365.
“It’s been hard to keep him on the track since he damaged a tendon that runs behind the stopper in a Warragul Cup heat in January,” Thompson said. “It has affected his cornering ability and it’s not fair on the dog.” (Incidentally, Hooked On Scotch won that heat in a near-record 25.34sec.)
Thompson added that Hooked On Scotch was “probably the fastest dog I’ve trained”.
“He’s right up there with some of my best male sprinters including Awesome Assassin, Aston Dee Bee, Whisky Assassin, Light Of Fire, El Galo and Black Magic Opal,” he added. “He’s been a fantastic dog to train… He did a hell of a lot in a short time; he’s been a beauty!”
Thompson says Hooked On Scotch is a real character and has a great temperament.
“I’m sure he’ll make a top stud dog as he hails from an exceptional dam line. I think he’ll click perfectly with daughters of Fernando Bale,” he said. “We’re approaching spring and he’ll have a month to wind down before commencing stud duties at part-owner Darren Puleio’s property.”
Also labelled the “people’s champion”, Hooked On Scotch has developed a cult following – even from members of the non-racing public.
He’s one of those handful of greyhounds that emerges every decade or so that you can justifiably call a bona fide champion.
