Former NSW Greyhound of the Year winner and multiple Group race winner Oaks Road has sadly passed away just shy of his eighth birthday.
The multiple Group race winner (pictured) was one of NSW’s finest greyhounds of recent times, winning more than $360,000 prize money in a phenomenal career before also becoming a notable stud dog in retirement.
Daniel Gatt, who travelled with Oaks Road in partnership with brother and trainer Mark Gatt, said he and connections was “devastated” by the greyhound’s death yesterday.
“The mood around the kennel is pretty quiet today,” he said.
“It sounds funny but a greyhound like him is like an extra family member. You love them, you race them and they bring you so much joy.
“It’s devastating.”
The son of Spiral Nikita and Leprechaun Pace made his competitive debut in December 2010 and quickly became a notable performer, claiming his first Group crown with victory in the 2011 Dapto Megastar (then a Group 3 race).
In January 2012 – at the peak of his powers – he won the Group 2 Bob Payne Spring Sprint and Group 1 Perth Cup in a matter of weeks, while later that year he also captured the Group 2 Maitland Cup.
His hard chasing ability and consistency saw him compete in an incredible 12 Group race deciders.
Oaks Road earned a nomination for the 2011 NSW Greyhound of the Year – a title eventually taken out by ZIPPING Lad - before going one better and winning the 2012 crown.
He was retired to stud duties in August 2012, shortly after injuring a pin muscle representing NSW in the National Sprint Championship in Hobart.
He finished with the record of 20 wins and 16 minor placings from 50 starts and a tick more than $364,000 prize money.
Oaks Road later became a notable and in-demand sire, fathering the likes of this year’s Group 1 Perth Cup winner Ima Wagtail, star SA duo Worm Burner and She’s A Looper and the likes of high-quality NSW performers Second Line, Kihael Kaluna and Topper Road.
Daniel Gatt said Oaks Road, who would have turned eight on November 25, would be best remembered for his hard-chasing ability.
“He was always keen and always busting to get to the track,” he said.
“He won those Group races, but for me his best run was in the Topgun (in October 2011) when he finished fourth. He powered across from box eight and put in a mighty run.
“I couldn’t have been prouder of the effort he put in against those top-quality greyhounds.
“Working with him was certainly one of the proudest times of my life.”
Check out this piece from 2012 on Oaks Road and trainer Mark Gatt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eVMI7MscnI
