Clares Rocket reportedly abducted from the kennels of Graham Turner
Tuesday 6 December 2016 17:21, UK
Clares Rocket has reportedly been abducted from the kennels of trainer Graham Holland in a 'Shergar like' theft in Ireland.
The two-year-old greyhound, who is said to be worth €1m in stud fees and has won over €50,000 in prize money, went missing from the Tipperary-based trainer at Athassel Abbey in the early hours of Monday morning.
"This is really the Shergar story of the greyhound industry," one high profile greyhound trainer told the Limerick Leader newspaper.
Irish police have confirmed they are investigating the theft of the dog, one of the favourites for the 2017 English Derby.
"Gardai are investigating the theft of a dog in Golden, Tipperary," said a spokesperson. "The theft is believed to have happened at some time between 6pm on December 4 and 10am on December 5. Gardai are appealing for witnesses."
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, the Racing Post's Irish greyhound correspondent Michael Fortune said: "Clares Rocket is one of the best greyhounds we have seen in Ireland or Britain in many years.
"He would have been a very hot favourite for this year's English Derby but they decided not to run him. He's actually joint favourite at the moment for next year's English Derby. If they had come out and said he was a definite runner in that race he would be clear favourite.
"He's a brilliant greyhound. He won the Produce Stakes in Ireland by a wide margin, he won the Champion Stakes in Ireland by a wide margin, he has devastating early pace, stays 550 yards and is what you would call the ultimate greyhound.
"He is hugely popular with punters and his disappearance is a huge shock over here. It has really taken the industry by surprise."
Shergar won the Epsom Derby in 1981 by a record 10 lengths and was stolen by masked gunmen from the Ballymany Stud near The Curragh two years later.
The stallion, who was syndicated for £10m and commanded stud fees of up to £80,000, was never found and the story has been the inspiration for several books, documentaries and a Hollywood film.
Anyone with information on Clares Rocket should contact Tipperary Garda Station on (+353) (0) 62 80670, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111.
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