BOMBAY PAT WAS A TRULY SPECIAL PERFORMER

Ian Fortune

The best news of the week was reported by the Riverside Kennels on their various social media platforms confirming that Bombay Pat is ‘recovering brilliantly’ following an operation.

The sensationally fast tracker picked up the injury earlier this month ending one of the great careers.

It is no exaggeration to suggest that in terms of pure pace, few could match Bombay Pat in his pomp and his retirement marks the end of a truly brilliant racing career with so many highlights.

A SLOW START BUT HIS BRILLIANCE SOON SHONE THROUGH

He made an auspicious start to his career, failing to start on debut at Kilkenny in the Champion Open Unraced before finishing down the field in his second career outing, which came over two bends at Curraheen Park.

He returned to Cork a month later for his third career start in the opening round of a valuable A3 competition and made quite a statement. Certainly, few were thinking about his first two defeats as he overcame a slow start, showing the most awesome pace to lead soon after halfway.

He would race right away from his rivals to eventually stop the clock in a scarcely believable 27.96. It was a run that would encapsulate everything we would discover about Bombay Pat going forward.

For all that he had the most incredible pace, he was never the greatest at traps and had to rely on his brute raw speed to get himself to the front.

He followed up that run with a last stride success in the second round before finishing second to his kennel companion and future star Silverhill Freya.

MAGIC IN MAIDEN DERBY

By now, Bombay Pat was starting to create a stir and it was no surprise to see him switched to Shelbourne Park for a crack at the Maiden Derby.

He was beaten a length by the powerful Coosane Pickles on his Dublin debut but returned to star in the second round, showing astounding pace into the bend to go clear on his way to a brilliant 29.21 success.

It was clear to all that 550yds around Shelbourne Park was where Bombay Pat was going to make his name. He returned the following week to land the €7,500 prize, justifying odds on favouritism in facile fashion.

Flying into the turn after another moderate start, he quickly asserted before emerging a seven-length winner in 29.35. Despite often giving his rivals a headstart, he was making it look all too easy.

A MEMORABLE DERBY CAMPAIGN

Connections were now left with no choice. He simply had to be thrown in at the deep end and was entered for the 2024 Irish Greyhound Derby.

Their decision was fully justified. He was breathtaking in the opening round, posting a sizzling 29.34 to book his place in the second round.

Indeed, he was so impressive he was second favourite for Derby honours ahead of the second round. Over the next three rounds of the Derby he was faultless, winning in 29.41, 29.30 and a magical 29.19 on quarter final night.

His kennel companion Bockos Diamond was a hot favourite for Derby honours ahead of the semis but Bombay Pat was clear second choice in the market, highlighting just how well he was running.

Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be.

In the hotter of the two semi-finals, he was drawn in four and immediately found himself on the backfoot after a very slow start. He flew into the bend but found traffic at the second turn when attempting to move into third. He battled on bravely but would lose out on a place in the final by just a head.

He did end the year on a high, however, capturing the Winter Racing Festival Championship 575 in typically swashbuckling style. Relishing the long run to the bend, he shot clear and despite tying up a little, held on by two lengths in 31.07.

ANOTHER DERBY CHALLENGE OF NOTE

Remarkably, it would be another nine months before we would see him in racing action in Ireland as his main target in the opening half of 2025 was the English Derby.

He returned after a layoff to contest and English Derby Trial Stake at Towcester in late April and immediately looked right at home, winning in a very fast 28.60.

Again, he was amongst the favourites for classic glory and did little wrong in the subsequent weeks, winning his opening round assignment in 28.81 before clocking an unbelievable 28.53 in the second round.

He was second in his third round and quarter final assignments before securing his place in the final with a typically brave display despite plenty going wrong.

Ahead of the final, it was clear that his trapping was costing him and he was incredibly sent to traps a 20-1 chance despite being as fast as any greyhound in training.

The record books will tell you that he finished at the tail of the field in the decider but he played a huge part in the contest. Showing astounding early dash after a typically moderate start, he led the field around the turn and into the back straight.

Only for Bocko Diamond, he may well have won but the pair had a great buckle into the third turn with Bombay Pat continuing to hold a narrow advantage. As the duo locked horns, the chasing pack drew closer and Bombay Pat found himself swamped on the run in. He may have finished last but he ran an incredible race.

BACK TO IRELAND

Typically, in the style of a champion, he dusted himself down and was aimed at the Irish Derby once again.

Two months after his English Derby heartbreak, he returned to Shelbourne to win a prep race ahead of his Derby challenge. Sowing all his class and pace, he emerged a clear winner in 29.32.

It was all systems go for another Derby challenge.

No greyhound went faster than Bombay Pat in the opening round. The brilliant black was electric as he emerged a wide margin winner in 29.27. It was much the same in the second round with Bombay Pat again shing brightest as he posted 29.17.

He was now disputing favouritism for Derby honours with the defending champion Bockos Diamond but when the latter was withdrawn ahead of the third round, Bombay Pat was installed the 5-2 clear favourite for outright glory, highlighting his brilliance.

Alas, luck completely deserted the popular tracker in the third round. An early bump left him vulnerable and he found further traffic around the opening two bends. He displayed real bravery to put himself into contention for a qualifying spot by halfway but it wasn’t meant to be.

THE END WAS NEAR

Soon after he returned to the UK to contest the Kent Derby and duly reached the final of the Category 1 event with little fuss.

Sent off the 6-5 favourite, a moderate start would again cost him. WE didn’t know it at the time but he was nearing the end of his racing career.

He would have just three more starts, winning an Open 575 on Laurels final night in a rapid 30.92 before returning to Shelbourne in an attempt to defend his Winter Racing Festival 575 crown. Despite running a big race, he could finish only third.

He returned earlier this month with a potential crack at the Easter Cup the plan but he went lame at the turn when in front. It was a sad end to a wonderful career.

A TRUE CANINE ATHLETE

He had just 33 career starts but was a major contender in three Derby campaigns.

Brilliant at Shelbourne in the 2024 Maiden Derby, his subsequent career was littered with stunning performances.

He became one of the fastest and most popular greyhounds in training and his absence from the track will be felt by many. For owners Pat Muldoon and Eugene Buckley, he was the greyhound of a lifetime.

To those at the Riverside Kennels of Graham and Nicky Holland, he was simply known as Mars. And he was well named for he really was out of this world when in full stride.

In many ways, it is remarkable how much he achieved given his propensity to throw in a tardy start. He had the type of raw pace that is rarely seen in a racing greyhound and to watch him going through the gears into the bend was a joy to behold.

He now looks set to enjoy a long, happy retirement. He will be given the chance to sire a few litters. Given his incredible ability, attitude to racing and wonderful pedigree, he will certainly attract the interest of many breeders.

A son of the brilliant Pestana out of another top class performer Clear Mountain, who’s dam line goes right back to Ballinderry Moth and Skipping Chick, he was certainly bred to be a star.

If he does pass on his brute pace, his progeny will be lighting up the tracks of Ireland in the future. But for the moment, we will reflect on a career littered with highlights. A true athlete, Bombay Pat will long be remembered as a racing machine. Thanks for the memories, Mars. May you enjoy your time on the couch.