'Like losing a limb' - that's how Garry Edwards has described saying goodbye to Double Twist.
The 2013 NSW Greyhound of the Year (pictured), who enjoyed a sparkling career, has been retired by her owners.
Edwards enjoyed an incredible ride with the record-breaking greyhound, who secured Group races, became hugely popular and earned the crown of one of the country's best sprinters since debuting in December 2012.
The Nowra trainer said he was "disappointed" with the decision to retire his charge, but would certainly look back at their time together with amazing memories.
"I feel like I have lost my right arm," he said.
"I have had her since she was 12-months-old and it's been a great time.
"I have had four really good dogs in my 40 years of training - and she was one of them."
An injury sustained while racing at Wentworth Park in July had forced Double Twist out of this Friday's Sportingbet Dapto Megastar (520m) but Edwards said she was
expected to have a crack with her at the Group 2 Bob Payne Sprint Sprint (520m) later this month.
The owners have now decided to retire the chaser as a brood bitch, although she is staying at Edwards' property for now.
It concludes a glittering career for the greyhound which included winning the 2013 Group 3 Christmas Gift and the Group 3 Nowra Puppy Classic.
That last race at Wentworth Park was her 26th victory in 46 starts, with her record including 12 triumphs at the Glebe track.
Arguably her best performance saw her break the 520m track record at Dapto last Boxing Day with a stunning 29.44 run.
Edwards said that moment was possibly his fondest memory of the top-quality sprinter and also said he hoped other people had loved watching her in action.
"I think a lot of people got a lot of enjoyment out of her," he said.
"It was amazing the amount of people who would come up to me at meetings or in the catching pen and say how much they'd loved seeing her win or congratulating me. A lot of them I'd never met or barely knew.
"It wasn't always smooth sailing but I hope people have enjoyed seeing her race as much as I have."
Edwards thanked everyone who had assisted him with Double Twist.
