Time Called On Beast Unleashed's Career

Freakish sprinter Beast Unleashed has run his last race with Peter Lagogiane electing at the weekend to retire his multiple group winning star.

BEAST Unleashed has run his last race with Peter Lagogiane electing at the weekend to retire his multiple group winning star.

Last seen back in January when a stunning winner of the Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup, winning his heat of that series in the remarkable track record time of 28.90, the son of Barcia Bale retires with 10 stellar victories from just 15 appearances, his prizemoney earnings perched at $230,000.

"I had a chat to (wife) Jodie and (co-owner) Dawn (Garrett) on Friday and decided it was time to pull up stumps – it's the right decision," said an emotional and equally proud Lagogiane on Tuesday.

"I promised myself that if there was any chance the dog was going to be sore or hurting I'd pull the pin and that's where it's got. I trialled him at Richmond last week to get ready for the Black Top and he went good but to be truthful his body is failing him … I could feel the top of the back muscle going."

If not for countless injuries, it's hard to fathom the heights the freakishly talented galloper would have scaled.

The majority of his performances were either done as a wet behind the ears youngster, or as illustrated with his heroic Gosford Cup victory, patched up from injury on three legs.

WATCH: Beast Unleashed's Group 2 Launching Pad victory

While his 10 victories were something to behold, his third in a heat of the Peter Mosman Classic in June 2018 had to be seen to be believed. After bombing the start by a long way, he was only beaten 2 ¼ lengths. Remarkable.

After injuring himself when seventh in the final, Beast Unleashed went on to race on just another three occasions, Lagogiane forced to grapple with injury after injury with the prodigious talent, setbacks that ultimately called time on his career.

"When his back muscle went Des Fegan said it was one of the worst he'd seen – to even come back from that was a real testament to the dog," explained Lagogiane.

"In the end, he was too quick for his own good. He puts 100% into everything he does. The other week when I clearance trialled him at Richmond I was more nervous behind the boxes for that than I was before the Million Dollar Chase.

"He's got nothing left to prove to us."

In March 2018, Lagogiane trotted off to Victoria with Beast Unleashed for a tilt at the lucrative Launching Pad Series at Sandown Park, the April ‘16 whelp sweeping through the three-week event undefeated, capturing the $150,000 to-the-winner final in a sizzling 29.34.

"He put me on the map as a trainer there's no doubt about that – I've got a lot to thank this dog for … he's very special to us," Lagogiane added.

"When the chance came up to buy him after a few starts we were lucky enough to buy him and keep him here … there were a lot that were after him.

"I'm like everyone, you have a soft spot for your dogs, but let's just say my spot for him is even softer."

While Beast Unleashed retires having graced the starter on just 15 occasions, Lagogiane is optimistic breeders will use the son of Barcia Bale's services at stud.

"He proved he was a mighty chaser, full of speed and strength, he's got the breeding on both sides so we'll give him every chance at stud," Lagogiane added.

"It's only early days, we'll let things settle down first. He's given us so much to be thankful for and I'll always be indebted to the dog."

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