BRIDGES IS OFF TO BREEDING PADDOCKS

Ian Fortune

In his own words, our own Barry Caul announced to the world via X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) on Saturday night that Black Bridges had run her final race.

Said the man with the most garish shirts in Ireland, “So after 22 races at Shelbourne Park, 9 wins & over €6,000 in prizemoney won, it’s time for Black Bridges to move onto her next career. She's been an absolute star for us, a date with Good Cody awaits. I've absolutely no doubt she'll throw many a good one as her pedigree suggests.”

When you put a lead on a greyhound it’s easy to dream of Derby or classic glory but, the reality is, if they win a race or two most owners are delighted. Black Bridges did far more than that. Regulars at Shelbourne will miss her as much as Barry and Matthew Caul. She was a model of consistency and had the most willing attitude.

Have no doubt, if she passes on her best traits to her progeny, they will be winning plenty around Shelbourne Park in the future and I look forward to calling them home.