BRILLIANT ALDO RETIRED AND OFF TO STUD
Ian Fortune
Carrick Aldo has been a truly remarkable greyhound over the past two years, establishing himself as one of the most popular and talented trackers in training.
Sadly, after picking up a gracilis injury in the Tote Gold Cup last month, the decision has been made to retire the brilliant brindle to stud.
David Murray confirmed the news in recent days, saying he would be impossible to replace. Indeed, Murray recognized just how remarkable he was as a greyhound, “He was so consistent and genuine. One thing that sticks in the mind is how he was the very same dog throughout his career. When you compare his runs and trials from early in his career, he maintained that level right until the very end.”
Of course, it’s not just Murray who has to try and replace him. Thomas Glynn was lucky enough to own Carrick Aldo and experienced some of his greatest nights in the sport thanks to his star. He too will yearn to find one as good but, the truth is, they don’t come around very often.
MAKING HIS NAME AT DUNDALK
It was somewhat fitting that the stunningly fast son of Droopys Sydney would begin his career at Dundalk.
After just four starts, winning three of them including a 28.56 return over four bends, he was thrown into the far deeper waters of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup.
Despite his youth and inexperience, Carrick Aldo would quickly establish himself as a star. Winning his opening round heat in 21.36, it was evident that far better was to come. He went faster a week later despite suffering a narrow defeat.
That would be his final defeat of the competition with his improvement over the following weeks simply spectacular. He would beat subsequent Laurels winner High Trend in the quarter finals, posting a rapid 21.00 before following up that run in the semis with a 21.04 return.
RAPID RISE FROM BRIGHT PROSPECT TO CLASSIC WINNER
His rise from promising youngster to classic champion was completed in the most sensational fashion. Just days after his second birthday, he would race to classic glory, flashing from traps to win by almost three lengths in a sizzling fastest of the year 20.80. At the time it was the fifth fastest time ever recorded for the 400yd trip at Dundalk, the home of sprinting in Ireland.
A LAURELS CHALLENGE
Connections obviously felt this was just the beginning, however.
They fought the temptation to keep him over two bends and immediately targeted the Laurels at Cork. Again, he was nothing short of brilliant through the classic, posting a series of fast times, before starting joint favourite in the final.
A rare missed start and early traffic saw him finish down the field but he was now firmly established as one of the very best in training over four bends, while his brilliance over two bends would be recognized at the National Greyhound Racing Awards where he would be named as Sprinter of the Year.
BACK AS GOOD AS EVER
He began 2024 in a similar vein, producing a series of superb performances, including a brilliant 28.05, in the early rounds of the Tote Gold Cup.
The ante-post favourite, he would run out of luck in the semis, getting knocked over at the turn.
After an enforced layoff, he would return in an attempt to defend his Irish Sprint Cup title and everything was going to plan, going unbeaten through the first three rounds. He would suffer a narrow defeat in the semis but returned for the final as one of the favourites. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. In what would be his last ever sprint start, he finished off the pace.
ONE OF THE STARS OF THE DERBY
He now had new targets in mind.
After a promising victory over 525yds at Shelbourne Park in late September, the decision was made to give him the opportunity to shine over the 550yd trip with a crack at the Derby.
His first ever start over 550yds came in the opening round of the Blue Riband and he was flawless, beating a talented field by four lengths in 29.42, which was one of the fastest times of the round.
In his next two starts, he ran wonderfully well behind Bockos Diamond, finding himself in the quarter finals of the classic.
For a greyhound that was unproven over 550yds ahead of his Derby bid, it was remarkable that he was now amongst the favourites to claim another classic success. His quarter final run was simply outstanding. Outside of his Irish Sprint Cup final run over a year earlier, it was perhaps the most faultless run of his wonderful career.
Breaking on terms before showing electric early speed, he left some of the best trackers in training standing. Going clear to the second turn, he never had a moment of concern as he held two of the strongest greyhounds in training, Boylesports Bob and Da Bold Falcon by a half length and four and a half lengths in a stunning fastest of the round 29.15.
This was a greyhound with sprinting speed, staying strongly over 550yds, taking on and beating the best in training.
He was deservingly being spoken of as a potential Derby champion but, again, it just wasn’t meant to be. He ran into a rampant, track record equaling, Bockos Diamond in the semis, racing in second for much of the way before getting run out of the qualifying spots in the dying strides, losing out by just a head and a head. It was heartbreaking for his connections but also his legion of admirers.
He has been one of the real stars of the competition and was deserving of a place in the final but such are the fine margins in greyhound racing.
He would run well in both the consolation final, finishing a close third, and the Winter Racing Festival but his final win of 2024 would be that incredible Derby quarter final display.
BACK ON THE HUNT FOR GOLD
After his luckless semi-final exit in the Tote Gold Cup the previous year, he returned from his winter break with redemption in mind.
He was again faultless through the early rounds, winning in 28.39, 28.25 and 28.55 in less-than-ideal conditions to start the odds-on favourite in the decider.
Of all his defeats, this was the most heartbreaking of his career. Showing all the early speed that made him such a potent performer, he would clear the corner to go a couple of lengths clear of Seven Beach into the back straight.
He was in pole position and surely on his way to another big race success until disaster struck. Passing halfway, his action went. To those with knowledge of such things, it was immediately obvious he had picked up a muscle injury.
A NEW CAREER BECKONS
In what would be his final race, victory was cruelly snatched from him.
It was later found to be a grasilis tear and the decision was swiftly made to retire him. Just a month after his injury, with rehab going perfectly, he has now taken up residence at the Newpark Stud.
Sean and Ann Bourke are now taking care of him and he has settled in wonderfully. He was a joy to watch on the track. A stunning brindle that weighed in at 78lbs, he had all the qualities needed to become a champion including heart, determination, consistency, which allied to his incredible physical abilities made him a very special greyhound.
As a son of Droopy Sydney and Minnie Hazel, who hails from the famous ‘Minnies’ line, with the most incredible early speed, he is likely to be a very attractive proposition for prospective breeders. We look forward to seeing his progeny hit the track in the future but, for the moment, we will take the opportunity to reflect on what a wonderful greyhound Carrick Aldo really was. Have a great retirement champ and thanks for the memories.