Champion Sprinter Aston Rupee Retired

Freakish talent Aston Rupee, the fastest greyhound the sport has seen, has run his last race.

On Thursday morning owner Ray Borda and trainer Glenn Rounds made the decision to call time on the career of the superstar sprinter, ruling him out of Saturday night's heats of the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park.

"We decided the time was right – I watched the reasons why Ash Barty decided to retire (from tennis) yesterday and while they are different situations there were similarities as well," Borda said.

"He's got nothing left to prove and this is a decision I've been wrestling with for a little while now. His future is at stud and I always said we wouldn't over race him.

"You see in the thoroughbreds the top level sires are lightly raced to ensure they have long and vibrant stud careers and that's where Aston Rupee is at now.

"He's had 42 wonderful starts and given us so many great memories. He's the best greyhound I've ever been involved with. Without question.

"Retiring him fit and healthy and at the top of his game is very important to both myself and Glenn."

Aston Rupee slashes two lengths off the Sandown Park track record in one of the most complete performances ever seen! pic.twitter.com/Gi1Lto1ocL

— Sandown Greyhounds (@sandowndogs) September 9, 2021

A regally bred son of Kc And All and Aston Miley, Aston Rupee retires as the winner at 23 of his 42 race starts with a further 14 placings and $606,463 in stake earnings.

His group 1 victories came in the Topgun and Temlee at The Meadows while also tasting group 3 success in the Shootout at Sandown Park and Speed Star triumphs at both metropolitan Victorian venues.

His career is littered with phenomenal performances right from when he launched his career with a scintillating 24.95 maiden victory at Warrnambool in December, 2020.

‘ASTON' MOTORS AWAY

ASTON RUPEE (4) has thrashed his rivals by nine lengths in the $100,000 to-the-winner Group 1 @tabcomau #Temlee (525m) @MelbourneGreys in 29.612 for trainer Glenn Rounds.

Result ? https://t.co/vWzDl266N7#GreyhoundRacing #PremierRacing pic.twitter.com/9NcFTDJEnq

— Greyhound Racing Victoria (@GRV_News) February 12, 2022

But it's his mind-boggling Sandown Park track record which Borda describes as a major career highlight, posting a remarkable 28.79 when scoring at the track last September.

"That was a special day," Borda reflected.

"And as fast as he went you need to remember he broke the 29 seconds at Sandown Park on four occasions.

"He went oh so close to The Meadows track record last month running 29.39 and that was another special performance.

ICYMI: Aston Rupee reaffirmed his status as this year's @tabcomau Melbourne Cup ($5.50) favourite by winning last night's TAB Topgun @TheMeadowsDogs ? pic.twitter.com/Tg3jBCjjeF

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 6, 2021

"Being a South Australian the 29.95 Angle Park record he ran in a heat of the Adelaide Cup was another highlight as well.

"It's hard to imagine we'll see another greyhound capable of running the times he can run."

Aston Rupee ventures to stud with a pedigree that's arguably more fashionable than his remarkable racing career.

By Kc And All, Aston Rupee is out of Aston Miley, the champion brood that is a full sister to Borda's Melbourne Cup winner turned great sire Aston Dee Bee.

"He ticks all the boxes for breeders and I've probably been getting three to four calls a day asking when he'll become available," Borda said.

"Something I'm really keen to tell the breeders out there is that in 42 starts he's never had an injury. Not even a bit of soreness. For me as a breeder myself it's something that's really important.

We often say they're not machines but Aston Rupee may be the exception. Only dog to twice break 29 seconds at @sandowndogs (3 if you include a trial), and both run in near identical fashion, EXCEPT he had a tail wind in his TR run and turned right at last night.

He can go faster pic.twitter.com/dCVlovpb0U

— Mick Floyd (@MickFloyd) October 29, 2021

"He's a magnificently put together animal with the racing career and pedigree behind him as well. I can't wait to get him up and going to stud."

While understandably excited about his once-in-a-lifetime greyhound's beckoning stud career, Borda was matter of fact about aborting his upcoming Golden Easter Egg tilt.

"It is a race that I really want to win," Borda said.

"I sponsored the race for a time there and it's a great race on the calendar. After the Egg there is the Million Dollar Chase but as tempting as it is with the starts he's had now it's time to move onto the next phase.

“Given the demand we will only be selling straws to people with bitches on season to ensure we can cater for as many as possible. He'll stand at $3,750.”

Aston Rupee Track Records

Angle Park: 530m (29.95)
Sandown Park: 515m (28.79)   

Best Times At Tracks

Angle Park: 530m (29.95)
Ballarat: 450m (24.98)
Bendigo: 500m (27.82)
Sandown Park: 515m (28.79)
Shepparton: 450m (25.06)
The Meadows: 525m (29.39)
Warragul: 460m (25.33)
Warrnambool: 450m (24.95)
Wentworth Park: 520m (29.40)