JET-POWERED PRICELESS HAS RUN HIS FINAL RACE

Ian Fortune

There have been some very notable retirements in recent weeks and months and the latest came in recent days with Paul Hennessy confirming that in the incredibly versatile and talented Priceless Jet will be putting his feet up. 

A rare talent with immense pace and power, he has been amongst the very best in training since debuting in the Juvenile Classic way back in February 2020. Known as Delivering in that first outing, he was purchased soon after by Bryan and Kathleen Murphy and provided them with unlimited fun in the subsequent three years.

Paul Hennessy took his time with the August ’18 whelp, waiting until the end of June of that year to give him a third career start while he only had a handful of starts through the summer but still managed to post 28.37 for 525yds and 29.43 for 550yds at Shelbourne Park.

AN EYE-CATCHER AROUND LIMERICK

His first real test came when he was given a Leger entry towards the end of 2020 and he certainly caught the eye, showing exceptional pace in every round to reach the semi-finals.

Bad crowding cost him a place in the final but he had entered the consciousness as a greyhound to keep an eye on.

He returned in early 2021 with Hennessy clearing having a very clear plan for his charge. After unlucky exits from the Easter Cup and Shelbourne Open 600 (at the semi-final stage), he was targeted at Towcester and the English Derby.

A FIRST TRACK RECORD

In a Trial Stake ahead of the classic, he got loose to beat a talented field in mid-May.

Displaying the pace and power that he became synonymous for, he raced further and further clear of a talented field to smash the track record with a 29.11 return.

Ultimately, his English Derby campaign ended early but people were now more than aware of his obvious talent. After a series of traffic effected runs, his handler decided a crack at the Corn Cuchulainn over six bends would boost his confidence and this was to prove a genius move.

CLASSIC VICTORY

While the 750yds stretched his stamina, his brilliant four bend speed saw him get loose at the head of affairs in each of the four rounds.

He may have been picked up in the quarter and semi-finals but he was primed to perfection for the decider and produced a brilliant of front-running.

Leaving a top-class field standing in the early yards, he was never threatened as he came home five lengths clear in 41.39 to become a classic winner.

The benefits of those runs over six bends were very evident through the remainder of the year. His next assignment came in the Champion Stakes and he was unlucky not to add another major title to his CV.

Showing fine pace into the turn, he was one of three greyhounds disputing the lead before he was sent sideways. He recovered to finish fast for third but it was a case of what could have been.

He maintained his run of form into the Derby, making the semis before again finding traffic. Next was a return to Limerick for another Leger campaign and again he looked right at home. Progressing through the rounds with little fuss, he was to run a fine race to finish just over two lengths away in third in the final.

AS GOOD AS EVER IN 2022

He returned in 2022, at three and a half year of age, ready to challenge for more major honours.

His first assignment came in the Easter Cup where he again reached the final before running a big race, despite finding traffic, to finish third behind 2021 Derby champion Susie Sapphire.

Yet better was still to come. Connections felt he had unfinished business at Towcester and he returned for another English Derby campaign. While not at his best in the early rounds, he produced the undoubted performance of his career in the quarter finals.

On a track where it’s widely accepted it’s difficult to win from the outside, Priceless Jet not only beat a top-class field with ease but he smashed the track record for the 500m trip for the second time in his career with a stunning 28.78 return.

He ran another big race in the semis, finishing just a half length back before again running his heart out in the decider. As it happened so often in his career, he met traffic at the wrong spots before finishing a credible fourth.

He would have only a handful more starts, reaching the third round of the Derby at Shelbourne but time was not on his side. His card will confirm that the final win of his career came on that famous night at Towcester when he destroyed the track record. It’s not a bad way to end your winning ways.

HENNESSY FULL OF ADMIRATION FOR HIS STAR

Paul Hennessy was understandably full of praise for his star.

Said Hennessy, “We’ve decided to call it a day. He was just the most marvelous, powerhouse of a greyhound. He hates the cold weather so it’s the right time.

“We always knew he was special but luck wasn’t his friend in the early days. That’s why we decided to have a go at the Corn Cuchulainn. He didn’t quite get the trip but his ability got him through and it gave him great confidence.   

“If you stand back and look at him, he is a proper specimen and a joy to train. To break the clock two years running at Towcester was special, especially from the outside box. To get to the English Derby final was obviously a great achievement but he made so many big finals.

“The Champion Stakes is the one we feel he deserved to win but it’s hard to get around from the outside and it just wasn’t meant to be. He was that type pf dog though, you’d enter him for competitions knowing he would go deep if he carried any sort of luck.

“He’ll stay with us and we’ll register him for stud but it’s not really our game. We have a few available for stud here and if anyone wants to use him, he’s there. The problem is now trying to replace the likes of himself, Beach Avenue and Boylesports Bingo. Dogs like that don’t just come around but we’ll keep our eyes open.”

Indeed, Priceless Jet was all that his trainer suggested. The son of Droopys Jet and Ravenna was certainly bred to be special. His dam boasts the best of Australian bloodlines with his breeder Tommy O’Donovan bringing her from Oz.

With a potent combination of pace and power, Priceless Jet was a rare talent. His track record at Towcester stands to this day and that could well remain the case for a few years to come. He was a joy to behold when in full stride and let’s hope we get to see a few of his pups in action in the coming years.