Inaugural The Thunderbolt Winner Retired

INTEGRITY Mate, on a mission for a repeat victory in The Thunderbolt at Grafton, has injured a back muscle and will be retired.

Trainer Robbie Andrews had the dog checked over on Sunday after he was in front and looked the likely winner of a FFA (411m) at Casino on Friday.

“He was on his way to win number 25 but then all of a sudden dropped right out of the race,” said Andrews today.

“He is a March 2020 (whelp) and even if we gave him four to six months to get over the back muscle injury, he comes back as a top grader and will be on his way to four years old.

“He's done enough for us and deserves his retirement.”

Robert Andrews and Integrity Mate have won the Worlds Richest Short course race – The Thunderbolt at Grafton tonight.
Integrity Mate left it to the last stride to claim the $75,000 prize. pic.twitter.com/YD53NHaZzE

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) June 19, 2022

Integrity Mate (Keybow-Let's Win Meisha) raced 49 times for 23 wins and nine placings earning $140,000.

He ran track records at Casino and Grafton and also won a Beef Week Cup at Casino.

But his crowning glory was victory in the inaugural The Thunderbolt (350m) at Grafton in which he downed a fabulous field that included Orson Laurie, Orara Dan and the great Typhoon Sammy and a field of Northern Rivers sprint stars.

It was a fitting line-up for the Grafton speed series.

Outgoing GBOTA CEO Allan Hillzinger and his father Keith race the dog.

“The Thunderbolt was our moment,” said Robbie.

“We will register the boy for stud and even if we mate him to just a couple of our own bitches, it is a start.”

This year's Thunderbolt heats will be staged at Wagga (2 June), Bulli (6 June), Gosford (6 June), Taree (7 June), Goulburn (9 June), Richmond (9 June), Dubbo (10 June) and Grafton (11 June).

Semi-finals will be held at Grafton on June 18 with the final on June 24. The winner will earn $75,000, 2nd $15,000, 3rd $7500, unplaced $1000.