BRILLIANT DAZZLER SET FOR STUD DUTIES
Ian Fortune
After making a full recovery from a hock injury that ended his racing career, Knockeen Dazzler is set to commence stud duties with Daniel O’Rahilly confirming that his brilliant 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial champion is going to stand with him.
Of course, so much has been said and written about Daniel and his star over the past year. Much has been made of Daniel’s age but it is certainly a first when a greyhound delays starting stud duties due to his owner having to do his leaving cert.
Thankfully, Daniel is confident that everything went well as he awaits his results and a degree in business is on the horizon. There was certainly a business-like approach to training Knockeen Dazzler.
The brilliant son of Laughil Blake began his career in late 2023 but was given time to find his feet.
He was clearly highly thought of, making his debut in the Jerry & Michael Hennerty Memorial Open Unraced. Despite showing promise, he would make his exit in fourth before producing a couple of promising runs around Tralee.
He ended his first year with an exploratory trip to Shelbourne, finishing down the field before being put away for the winter. The experience would stand to him as he returned three months later to fly in a sprint trial at Limerick.
THE PATH TO KIRBY GLORY
The plan was very clearly a crack at the Kirby Memorial and it was executed to a tee.
He blew away some cobwebs in a trial stake, finishing down the field after early traffic, but returned a fortnight later for the opening round ready for action.
Over the coming weeks, he grew and grew through the classic, showing electric early speed in each of the five rounds. His times improved through the rounds, highlighted by a 28.23 return in the semis to earn his place in the decider.
The best was still to come, however. Drawn in his beloved stripes in the final, Knockeen Dazzler lived up to his name, producing the most dazzling performance to emerge a brilliant four length winner in a stunning 28.10.
It was straight into all-aged company and he would finish third in the Champion Stakes at Shelbourne before returning to Limerick for a tilt at the Leger. Again, showing his love for the Limerick circuit, he would get to the semi-finals where he would run out of luck.
Sadly, he carried no luck in his sole Irish Derby campaign either. An impressive winner of his opening round assignment, he was badly baulked in the second round. He would go on to reach the final of the Derby plate, leading for much of the way before being caught late by a big finisher.
THE END OF THE ROAD
Ultimately, fate was then to step in. He had his final ever start in the Winter Racing Festival Championship 550.
In a race that contained some of the biggest names in the sport including English Derby champion De Lahdedah, Irish Derby runner up and subsequent English Derby finalist and Dundalk International winner Cheap Sandwiches, subsequent Champion Stakes, Select Stakes, Race of Champions and Gold Cup winner Seven Beach and the very talented Superfast Gordon, Knockeen Dazzler produced the most wonderful display of early speed to hold a comfortable lead on the bend.
He was possible on his way to his greatest ever performance when he lost his stride between the opening bends. It was a devastating blow for his owner, who was more than aware that his star was only really beginning to mature into a true superstar.
It was a bad break of the hock but he was given the best possible care and Daniel confirmed that he was right as rain, “We took our time with him. He got the best care and we weren’t in any rush. There was no chance of him coming back to race so we did what was best for the dog.
“It was a real shame. I honestly think that was going to be his best ever run. When you look at the quality of dogs he was up against, to go up that fast and lead them was unreal.”
He went on to confirm his plans for the dog, “We’re going to stand him here. We had to wait until I finished the leaving cert before making any real plans but he does have a litter on the ground. There are three dogs and two bitches and they are all jet black like himself. Hopefully, he throws a few nice ones. He was such an incredible dog for us and I’ll never forget that night in Limerick”.
A BREEDER’S DREAM
Indeed, for many he would have been a once in a lifetime greyhound.
Blessed with the sort of early speed that breeders can only dream of producing, there is a chance he could prove popular at stud. Certainly, his pedigree is world class. A son of the brilliant Derby champion Laughil Blake, his dam line is no less impressive. Aside from Knockeen Dazzler, his dam Love Island has thrown an English Derby finalist, numerous top class performers over all distances, while her pedigree is special. A daughter of Droopys Sydney, she is a member of a stunning litter that contained the likes of Unlock Unlock, Coolavanny Chick, Million Dreams and the very talented duo of Auxerre and Coolavanny Kyser. Her granddam is the great Toms Delight, who goes back to Linger, Martinstown Lady etc.
There is certainly plenty of reasons for breeders to be attracted to Knockeen Dazzler and we wish him the very best in the future. Most importantly, he has a forever home and will be looked after for the remainder of his days.