Bombastic Shiraz Bows Out In Grand Style

2012 will be remembered as the year one of Australia's greatest ever sires retired from his stud duties, but not before stamping his authority as the best sire once again from the Australian Greyhound Racing Associations rankings that award points to offspring who compete in group races on a sliding scale. Taking out first place after a sensational year, Bombastic Shiraz finished with 1580 points, last year's winner was runner up with 1111 points and Where's Pedro again took out a top three placing in third with 928 points.

Undoubtedly Bombastic Shiraz's best offspring for 2012 and one of his greatest of all time is the Western Australian superstar Miata (x Winsome Bluebird). During her amazing year establishing herself as one of the greats, she claimed four group one races including; Cannington's , Wentworth Park's Association Cup, 's Distance Championship and 's Bold Trease. This now makes her eligible for the greyhound racing hall of fame, a feat that now seems imminent with still plenty of racing left in her career.

In total Bombastic Shiraz's offspring took out eight group ones, four group twos and four group three races.

Breeder, owner and trainer Darren Cairns could not be more proud of the dog they call ‘Bailey'.

‘He was an amazing race dog (the only dog to win the Triple Crown including; Melbourne cup, Topgun and Shootout) but his going even better at stud. All reports I have say how strong and keen his pups are and to see them win gives me a real thrill.'

A plumber by trade, Darren hit the racing scene with Bombastic Shiraz back in 2002 where he took the greyhound racing world by storm in 2003 when he claimed the group one Melbourne cup, Topgun and Shootout, The only greyhound in history to do so.

‘He has set me and my family up for life and it's a great feeling to do what I love full time. Every group race win just got better and better and I can't thank him enough'.

At almost 12 years old the decision was made to retire Bombastic Shiraz from stud duties with Darren being the holder of a few remaining straws. No one would ever argue of the comparisons being made to the great Brett Lee as his first progeny and his second offspring dominate the group racing scene.

‘I think it's fair to put him up there with Brett Lee. His up against some of the best stud dogs of all time and is beating them. His bloodlines will go on for a long time.'

Collision had another outstanding year finishing as the runner up with his most impressive offspring Got A Moment(x Splitting Hairs) who hit the group racing scene in the latter part of 2012. She shot to fame when she claimed Australia's richest greyhound race the Melbourne Cup and backed up two weeks later with an equally impressive victory in the group one Brisbane Cup, putting herself onto the list of highest prizemoney winning greyhounds of all time. Collisions other group one winner was Midnight Capers (x Midnight Movie) the beautifully bred bitch raced by renowned trainer , won the National Futurity back in February at Unitbet Gardens.

Where Pedro is also another regular featured sire within the top three placings with Destini Fireball (x Greys Destiny) his sole group one winner for 2012 taking out the Cup in December and his best performing offspring was Ritza Ryder who claimed the group two Gold Cup and group two ‘Ambrosoli' Easter Egg Consolation. In total he claimed two group two races and three group three races.

The most impressive newcomer to the list was no surprise with who finished in 11th spot. El Galo's owner and his trainer Jason Thompson took out his best group victory of the year with their superstar chaser El Brooklyn's (x Dark Marne)who produced a dominate win in the group two . El Galo's offspring also were the winners of three group three races including; Potsdam (x Sassy Sprite) Ipswich Gold Cup, Give and Take (x Swelligent) Cannington Birthday Cup and Hope's Up (x Little Looper) SA Oaks.

The biggest improver this year was Bartrim Bale who had an outstanding year with two group one victories and a group two victory, taking him from 20th spot to 5th. Imra Bale (x Amelia Bale) took out the group one Sandown cup and group two McKenna Memorial whilst rank outsider David Bale (x Dyna Beauty) produced a stunning victory from the reserve box to claim the group one Topgun before tragically ending his career with a broken hock.

For the dams it was a closer battle between Winsome Bluebird and Amelia Bale with the dam of Miata taking honours for 2012 finishing on 45 points with Amelia Bale close behind of 42 points and Princess Bale in third place on 30 points.

Picking the right sire is always important, however successful breeding lines where a dam continues to throw group winning performers is just as significant to a potential breeder.

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