Big Energy retires after stunning greyhound career
Big Energy, one of the most electrifying greyhounds of the modern era, has called time on a remarkable career that left jaws dropped and records shattered.
Known affectionately as Benny, the son of Aussie Infrared and Amo Bailar retires as the only greyhound to break the 29-second barrier five times at Sandown Park – a feat unmatched except by Aston Rupee, who shares the milestone but not the official race-only benchmark.
Big Energy owns five of the top 11 times at the venue since January 2023, including a blistering 28.91 that came during his Melbourne Cup heat win last November.
In total, he chalked up 23 wins from 56 starts, placed another 14 times, and amassed nearly $700,000 in prizemoney.
He signs off with elite wins in the Group 3 Sandown Shootout – twice, an unprecedented achievement – and the Group 3 Ambrosoli in what would ultimately be his final race on April 12 at Wentworth Park.
Group 3 2024 Shootout Final – Big Energy (28.94)
[videopack id=”158823″]https://australianracinggreyhound.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Sandown-515m-2024-Group-3-Shootout-Final-151124-Race-9-Big-Energy-28.94-Jacqueline-Greenough.mp4[/videopack]
“He’s a bit of a miracle,” said owner-breeder Michelle Romer, who bred Benny from a stellar line that traces back to Group 1 hero West On Augie.
“He has a huge following right around the country. Let’s hope his stud career is just as successful.”
Michelle, who breeds just one litter a year, will now transition Big Energy to stud duties at Tony Wiseman’s Sires On Ice, with a service fee yet to be confirmed pending DNA clearance.
While Group 1 glory eluded him, Big Energy’s record at the top level was nothing short of phenomenal.
He was runner-up in the Melbourne Cup and Adelaide Cup, a two-time finalist in both The Phoenix and Melbourne Cup, and competed in nearly every major sprint feature in the country, including the Topgun, Temlee, Speed Star, and Sandgroper.
From a $1.07 shot in March to a $2.20 bookmaker favourite on retirement night, Big Energy was always expected to win – and more often than not, he delivered in breathtaking fashion.
As Michelle Romer summed up: “That Melbourne Cup second and his two wins in the Shootout were my highlights. But his whole career… he was just special.”