Sandgroper champ Hector Fawley set for racing comeback bid
Group 1-winning Victorian greyhound Hector Fawley is on the brink of making a sensational return to the track.
The reigning Sandgroper champion was retired to stud late last year, but the lure of defending his title has prompted Ian and Lisa Cockerell to consider a comeback for their superstar chaser.
The 26-time winner last raced on December 21 at The Meadows, finishing second in a 600m event on The Phoenix night.
A week later, the Cockerells announced his retirement, citing a chest muscle tear as the deciding factor.
Yet, despite his brief stint at stud—where he has already served four bitches, including two for the Wheeler dynasty—the now rising four-and-a-half-year-old could be set to grace the track once more.
Hector Fawley’s return hinges on a crucial trial this weekend, with a successful hit-out paving the way for a potential race return at The Meadows on March 15.
If all goes well, the connections will shift their focus to securing a slot in The Sandgroper at Cannington on April 24, where he produced one of the greatest runs of his career in 2024.
2024 The Sandgroper Race Replay – Hector Fawley (29.42)
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Last year’s Sandgroper triumph remains one of the most memorable performances in greyhound racing history.
Representing Ladbrokes, Hector Fawley defied the odds as a $17.50 outsider with the top greyhound bookmakers to storm home from last place, claiming victory in a breathtaking 29.42 seconds.
The effort was so extraordinary that Greyhound Clubs Australia crowned it the Run of the Year.
While the Cockerells initially closed the chapter on his racing career, Lisa had always considered the possibility of a return.
The Hume Cup was a milestone victory, but The Sandgroper win stood out as an unforgettable moment.
With two slots already filled in the eight-dog race, Canya All Class secured by MintBet and WA’s Miss Envy representing Sportsbet, competition for the remaining berths is heating up.
If Hector Fawley can prove he still has what it takes, he could add another thrilling chapter to his already illustrious career.
The champion sprinter boasts a remarkable record of 26 wins and 20 minor placings from 75 starts, with prize money earnings of $797,375.
His ability to perform at an elite level over middle distances has made him a formidable competitor, and his return would be one of the biggest storylines of the 2025 racing season.