Champion Sprinter Tommy Shelby Retired

CHAMPION WA sprinter Tommy Shelby has been retired following a wonderful career which sees him bow out as a three-time group 1 winner.

David Brasch02 March 2022

CHAMPION Tommy Shelby has been retired.

The dog's part-owner and trainer Steve Withers made the announcement on Twitter on Tuesday.

“In the end it was an easy decision,” said Steve. “He trialled 29.78 at Cannington last Thursday which was a good starting point for him. But he came out of the trial with a little injury and we decided not to press on.

“The trial was good enough to press on, but it wasn't Tommy. In the end, we did not want to just take him to the races just for the sake of going racing.”

Tommy Shelby (Fernando Bale-Serena Fly High) retires the winner of 31 races and $1.02 million in stakes

He had not raced since finding first turn trouble at Sandown in a heat of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup on November 19 last year.

Withers had been attempting to get him back to the track in time for the up-coming Group 1 Perth Cup carnival.

It is with a heavy but full heart we wish to advise that Tommy Shelby will be retired from the racetrack to live the life of luxury and stud duties ?

It has always been our commitment to put Tommy's health and safety first ?

Thanks for the memories rockstar ?? pic.twitter.com/nZZ4DoEd4s

— Tommy Shelby (@Thepeoplesdog) March 1, 2022

Tommy Shelby is the winner of the Group 1 Australian Cup, Group 1 Golden Easter Egg, Group 1 Hobart 1000, Group 3 Perth Cup Consolation, has been second in the Group 1 Vic Peters, third in the Million Dollar Chase, Group 1 Melbourne Cup, Group 1 Gold Bullion and Group 3 Gold Ticket.

He has been a finalist in the Group 1 Topgun, Group 1 Temlee and Group 2 WA Derby.

“Some of the best moments I had with him were not necessarily racing moments,” said Withers.

“I spent five weeks living in an AirBNB with him in Brisbane last year. And he and I drove around Tassie like tourists while he was contesting the Hobart 1000 series.

“But race wins special were the Australian Cup coming from behind to win it, the Easter Egg off the eight and blasting across an Egg field to win.

“His Melbourne Cup heat win was special as well, coming from last.

“But it is all about him. It was all Tommy. I'm just the bloke at the other end of the lead.”

Withers reports the dog has been hugely popular with broodbitch owners. His service fee is $2750.