Grand Group Star Typhoon Sammy Retired

THE career of sprint sensation Typhoon Sammy has drawn to a close with the son of Aston Dee Bee to begin stud duties at the same time his illustrious sire has retired from the breeding barn.

Track records, group successes and remarkable winning stretches, Typhoon Sammy enjoyed a racing career which will see him retire in the top echelon of the sport's sprinters.

A winner of 43 races for trainer Jason Thompson and owners John and Sam Dart, Typhoon Sammy landed three country cups during his remarkable career, annexing the Group 2 Traralgon Cup, Group 2 Bendigo Cup and Group 2 Horsham Cup.

But while his one-turn form was truly spectacular, his 500 metre form was more than adept, winning a heat of the 2021 Group 1 Melbourne Cup before being controversially balloted out of the final following the dead-heat of Koblenz and Jepara.

"I think that's something that gets lost with him in that his 500 metre form was actually quite good," Jason Thompson said.

Typhoon Sammy (box 7) puts his name down in history, winning the 2022 @SEN_track #TraralgonCup. The first Cup to be run and won on the new J-Curve track.

Results ? https://t.co/L8zTE9PuyY | #GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/02Fl9IvGGa

— Greyhound Racing Victoria (@GRV_News) January 26, 2022

"But with the country cups scheduled the way they are and the attractive prizemoney on offer it just made sense to do that circuit with him.

"He gave us some fantastic highlights but breaking the Bendigo and Traralgon track records was right up there. When you think of some of the great dogs to have gone around there, to hold those records is a great achievement."

As a son of the great Aston Dee Bee out of Zabaleta from a line renowned for producing top class greyhounds, Typhoon Sammy's entry into the stud market is sure to come with its support from breeders.

"When you look at his breeding along with his race performances it's hard to see why he won't make it at stud," Thompson added.

"He had that sensational speed, was a real competitor and was strong as well. And the most laid back dog you'd ever find, a great temperament."

Typhoon Sammy, a five-time group finalist, winning three of them, retires with 43 wins from 71 starts and a further 16 placings at a strike-rate of 61 per cent.

"To win more than 60 per cent of his races in the grade he was in shows you how good a chaser and competitor he was on the track," Thompson added.

"He was just a pleasure to train."