'Clares Rocket'- Top greyhound stolen.

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Shergar-style theft of €1m greyhound 'Clares Rocket' (Dec. 6th 2016)

An investigation has been launched after a greyhound, which has an estimated stud value of in excess of €1m, was stolen from the kennels of a high-profile trainer.

The Limerick Leader has revealed that the dog, Clares Rocket, which is owned by a Limerick syndicate, is understood to have been taken from the yard of Irish Derby winning trainer Graham Holland in Golden, Tipperary during the cover of darkness on Monday morning.

“This is really the Shergar story of the greyhound industry,” one high profile Limerick greyhound trainer told the Limerick Leader today.

“If you look at his card, I think he has won over €53,000 in prize money and I would say for stud purposes he could be worth in excess of €1 million,” he added.

It is understood the dog was taken from the kennels at around 1am on Monday.

Clares Rocket is considered by dog racing followers to be at his peak and and is currently listed as second favourite for the English Derby - the most valuable and prestigious race in the world.

The dog has won the Champion Stakes and the valuable Produce Stakes and was a favourite this year for the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake.

Owned by the Full House Syndicate headed by Joe Cahill, Clares Rocket was trained by Holland to complete a hugely impressive unbeaten path to the Con and Annie Kerby Memorial Puppy Stakes final and was quoted as a best-price 8/13 favourite by firms.

He came fifth on the night and was representing Ballinacurra Gaels GAA club.

Speaking to Michael Fortune last August, Cahill explained after he was withdrawn from the Derby: "He is only a young dog with a lot of racing ahead of him and if we keep going in the Derby it might finish him.

“There are a lot of targets out there for him next year, and we would hope he will be okay for the Night of Stars in November."

Gardai in Golden confirmed that they are investigating the matter.

"It is a live investigation," said a garda spokesperson.

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It now appears that he's been found ...In Waterford ?

More to follow on this story

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Dog ransom demand revealed - - (December 7th 2016)

Kidnappers who took star Irish greyhound Clares Rocket from his kennel demanded a ransom, trainer Graham Holland has revealed.


The two-year-old greyhound was reported to be safe and well following the ordeal and enjoyed a treat of sirloin steak after he was returned to Holland's yard in Co Tipperary.

Holland said it was fantastic to have been reunited with his charge at a garda station on Tuesday evening.

"We have had a great year this year. We were lucky enough to win the (Irish) Derby (with kennelmate Rural Hawaii) and it was the same elation over again, it was like winning the Derby," Mr Holland said.

Gardai launched an investigation after Clares Rocket, who has won over 50,000 euros in prize money and is among the leading fancies for the 2017 English Derby, went missing from the premises in Athassel Abbey between Sunday evening and Monday morning.

Holland was in Belfast with his wife Nicky visiting one of his sons when the kidnappers struck.

Gardai said four men were arrested in the Tipperary area on Tuesday evening when the dog was recovered. He was said to be in good condition but a little distressed.

Holland revealed a ransom had been demanded but declined to say how much the gang wanted.

"People thought they could hold him to ransom," he told RTE Radio.

"It's a bit like Shergar. If they haven't got their identity book they can't do a lot with him. He's only worth money to the people who own him and what he can win for them or stand at stud.

"Obviously it's not the same thing, you do think of Shergar and they never recovered him. You just fear the worst - that whoever stole him would dispose of him and run for the hills. Luckily enough, as I say, the gardai did great work and we are absolutely delighted."

Holland said that on his day Clares Rocket is probably the fastest dog in Ireland, but in reality his value at stud is below the one million euros reported in the wake of his kidnap.

"It's not the same as horses. The stud fees aren't as high," he said.

Clares Rocket, winner of the Champion Stakes and the Produce Stakes, was microchipped. He is owned by the Full House Syndicate in the Limerick area.

Two of those arrested were held at Tipperary Town Garda Station and two at Clonmel station under the provisions of section four of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

"The dog was found safe and well," a Garda spokesman said.