LAURELS AND CHAMPION STAKES WINNER ONE TIME ONLY AUSTRALIA BOUND
Ian Fortune
One of the most talented and successful greyhounds of the past two years, One Time Only, is off to Australia where he will no doubt prove popular with breeders given his exceptional pedigree and abundant talent.
During a slightly interrupted racing career, the Tommy O’Donovan trained star was a potent performer with the early speed and class to take on and beat the best in training. Of course, the highlight of his career came in 2021 when he raced to a brilliant victory in the Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park but he also captured the Champion Stakes at Shelbourne Park last year, displaying huge early speed to see off a brilliant field in both deciders.
BRED TO BE FAST
His handler Tommy O’Donovan spent time in Australia so it was perhaps no surprise that interest came from down under.
As one of the most successful sons of the sire of our time Droopys Sydney, he is certain to be given a chance with breeders.
Add to the fact that his dam Mags Image is bred in the purple, as a daughter of former Oaks runner-up Leamaneigh Mags, and has thrown a number of top class trackers in just two litters and he makes even more appeal as a sire.
“AN ULTIMATE PROFESSIONAL”
Tommy O’Donovan is certainly thankful for all One Time Only achieved. “Interest came from Australia and we struck a deal. We’re getting him all the shots needed and he should be on his way by September. We wish his new owners the very best of luck.
“He was just an incredible dog for us. He overcame a near-career ending injury to win a classic and the Champion Stakes. That is testament to his attitude and temperament. He was just the easiest dog to train, an ultimate professional and now comes the hard work of trying to replace him.
“We must thank Mick Lowry for selling us the dog in the first place. He reared him and starting his schooling and Mick and his young boys Jack and Charlie got a great kick out of watching him winning.
“You’d like to think with his ability and pedigree he will become a successful sire.”
AN AMBITIOUS START
Tommy described his tracker perfectly. He was obviously showing plenty at home in the early days as he was thrown in the deep end from the outset, debuting in the Juvenile Classic at Tralee where he made the semis.
Next it was on to the Kirby Memorial where an uncharacteristic slow start saw him exit the stake in the third-round stage. Injury meant he was given time before returning to the track. When he did, there was a clear plan in place.
A WONDERFUL LAURELS CHAMP
He took his place in a mini-open stake at Curraheen Park and failed to make waves but the experience stood to him when he was entered for the Laurels.
Improving with each run through the classic, he claimed his first victory in almost eight months in the semis, leading home some very talented trackers including the defending champion Skywalker Barry.
A week later, he was a considerably shorter price in the final and duly backed up his semi-final success, showing brilliant early dash and all-round speed to emerge a comfortable three and a half length winner in a sizzling 28.17.
MORE GLORY TO COME
He continued to race in the very best of company, reaching the semi-finals of the Easter Cup and finishing second to Explosive Boy in the Select Stakes decider at Kilcohan Park in the early months of 2022.
He also returned to his beloved Cork to clock a magnificent 28.09 in late April. Soon after he as given another break but returned as good as ever for a crack at the Champion Stakes. He was flawless in both rounds, dominating in his semi to win in 29.63 for the 550yd trip, while returning a week later to lead on the corner.
Showing all his pace and class, he saw off an exceptional field in 29.67 on a track rated .30 slow. It was perhaps the last time he would be seen at his very best but he still managed to reach the semi-final of another Laurels and ran up the Winter Racing Festival Open 525.
THE END OF THE ROAD
He returned this year and continued to run at a good level but after exiting the McCalmont Cup at the semi-final stages after finding bad traffic, the decision was made to hang up his lead.
One Time Only may have battled injury but he also managed to maximize his ability. A professional tracker with superb early speed and the strength to see out 550yds strongly, he provided how owners Paul Horig and John Woodford with some incredible memories.
Tommy O’Donovan recognizes how hard One Time Only will be to replace but wishes his new Australian owners the very best of luck. Would it be a surprise if he were to throw a few champions in the southern hemisphere? Certainly not!