CLONA DUKE BOWS OUT AFTER A STELLAR CAREER

Ian Fortune

Clona Duke had it all, pace, power, class, track craft and a wonderful habit of winning races.

For his owner Kevin O’Brien and handler Graham Holland, he turned up, put his best foot-forward more often than not and captured some huge prizes during a career that spanned just over two years.

Sadly, after a few niggles curtailed his 2024 season, he has run his final race and is now set to become a serious option for breeders given his incredible ability and exceptional pedigree.

THE START OF THE JOURNEY

The Clona Duke journey began in August 2022 with the son of Malachi and Coolavanny Pearl making a big impression in an Unraced competition at Shelbourne Park.

Despite very obvious inexperience, he would come home in front in the decider, posting 28.49.

It was straight into hotter company for the youngster and with limited experience under his belt, he was given his chance in the Juvenile Derby. His opening round effort was very pleasing. He missed the start from three but flew into the turn before forcing his way to the front down the back straight.

He would go on to beat another future star, Bens Teddy, by a length in 28.59 despite leaving plenty of time on the track. Running well in the next three rounds, although still looking quite green, he managed to reach the final where he was sent off the 20-1 rank outsider.

It would be the last time in his career he would be overlooked by the layers. Finally getting his start right, he exploded from four to dominate. He would see off a top-class field which contained Droopys Got It, Three Canons, Trinity Junior, Another Holiday and Bogger Hunter with relative ease. At the line he had five lengths to spare over the warm favourite Droopys Got It in 28.23.

AMONGST THE BEST IN TRAINING

In his very next start, and his last of 2022, he would see off another talented field in the Winter Racing Festival Juvenile 525, getting the better of a persistent Bogger Hunter by a short head in 28.53.

One suspects, his connections knew they had a good one of their hands and he returned for a crack at the Kirby Memorial at Limerick a better, more mature version of himself. He was simply outstanding in the opening rounds, clocking a very fast 28.07 in the opening round.

A week on he would again set the standard with a massive 27.95 return. Sadly, his Kirby challenge ended a week later but it was clear he was now in the top echelon of greyhound racing talent. That was very evident again in the Select Stakes, his next target.

Immediately taking to Waterford, he saw off some top-class rivals in the final, including subsequent Derby champion The Other Kobe and the previous year’s Derby favourite Callaway Pro Am, in a rapid 28.22 in the final.

TRACK RECORD BREAKER IN ENGLISH DERBY

Next, he was on the ferry for a crack at the English Derby and he soon announced his arrival in the classic, posting some electric times in the early rounds including a track record breaking run in the opening round to establish himself as one of the favourite’s for the classic.

He would again break the track record in the semi-finals to earn a place in the decider but luck would desert him. He found early traffic and further crowding on the turn before finishing fifth.

A SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO THE UK

After his exploits in Towcester, it was perhaps no surprise that he made an early exit from the Irish equivalent, finishing fourth in the third round but it did open the door for a return to the UK and the Select Stakes at Nottingham.

Sent off the 2-1 second favourite, he again wowed UK audiences with a superb success, brushing off some early bumping to see off an outstanding field which included Ballinabola Ed, the English Derby champ Gaytime Nemo, the English Derby runner-up Romeo Command and leading UK performers Brookside Richie and Candolim Monsoon.

He would return to Nottingham some three months later for a crack at the Eclipse Stakes, reaching the final only to find bad traffic in what would be his final start of 2023.

BACK IN FORM IN EARLY 2024

After a successful return to action at Cork in March of this year, he was aimed at the Easter Cup and again he was at his imperious best, going unbeaten through the prelims.

In a top class final, he was sent off the 7-4 favourite to beat a really classy field which included Derby finalist Boylesports Bob, Undulation, Glengar Martha and Select Stakes winner Droopys Fidget but his kennel companion Clonbrien Treaty got first run. In what would be his last ever appearance in a major final, he ran a big race to finish a gallant second.

THE END WAS NEAR

Sadly, injury kept him off the track through the summer and an intended crack at the English Derby but he did get back for an Irish Derby bid.

He turned the clock back in the opening round, showing all his tremendous early speed to win in 29.66 but it was clear he wasn’t the same greyhound as before. Fading out of contention in the second round and again in the opening round of the Derby Plate, the correct decision has been made to retire the brilliant tracker.

A SUPERSTAR WITH A NEW CAREER

Clona Duke was a true canine superstar.

With the early speed, back straight pace and strength to compete against the very best, he had some famous nights in the sport. After his introduction to racing in an ON2 competition, he never ran outside the very best of company for the remainder of his career.

A winner of some twenty races, never once finishing last, and only failing to make the frame five times, he will be remembered for all the right reasons. The son of Malachi and Coolavanny Pearl is half-brother to some top-class trackers like English Derby finalist Newinn Session, Doolin Duke, Easter Cup winner Clona Blaze, Newinn Liz, Newinn Jacko and Clona Skye amongst others so it’s clear he comes from a proven family and he is likely to prove popular at stud.

We wish Clona Duke the very best in his new career as a stud dog and hope to see him throwing some as talented as himself in the future.