BONDI RULED OUT OF OAKS AND RETIRED

Ian Fortune

The disappointing news came through yesterday afternoon that Crafti Bondi would miss her appointment in the Sporting Press Irish Oaks on Saturday after picking up an injury in her superb opening round victory. 

The brilliantly fast daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Coolavanny Bondi hurt her wrist and, while they could potentially get her back on track in the future, the time is right to retire her to the breeding paddocks. 

Peter Divilly confirmed the news, “It’s a big disappointment as she would have given the Oaks a rattle but that’s greyhound racing. She was last in season in September so we’ll see when she breaks again but the plan is to breed her and, hopefully, she’ll throw a champion or two.”  

Indeed, Crafty Bondi had real talent, was as strong as any bitch in training and had the pace to clock 28.01 around Tralee in January on her way to Kerry Oaks success. In a career that lasted eighteen starts, she won on seven occasions, coming from of the pace in most of them. 

She really did have a huge engine and should she pass on her ability to her progeny, Peter Divilly could have reason to dream in the future. We wish Bondi a long and happy retirement and look forward to seeing if she does throw a champion or two.