Supreme Odin

by LAUGHIL BLAKE out of BALLYMAC MIGHTY whelped 14.6.2019

Form (GBGB)

Pedigree (Greyhound-Data)

Race videos are listed at the bottom of this page

Why, you ask, is Luigi not a Noduff like the others? Simply because he’s a home-British-bred greyhound from Stuart Buckland’s kennels; ‘Home of the Supremes’. Out of resident brood bitch, Ballymac Mighty, all pups are registered with a Supreme racing name and Luigi was no different. In recognation of this and as he is kenneled in-house, we took the decision not to rename him. The dogs in each litter are named following a different theme. In this case it was Norse legend hence Odin, Freya, Loki and Sif.

Luigi was bought unraced, which is our policy whenever possible. There is little in greyhound racing more exciting than unleashing a new pup at the track when they could be and amount to absolutely anything. Indeed, Luigi’s first visit to Monmore Green was a handslip back in November 2020. He improved throughout his trials to record a 29.17 for the 480 metre trip off a modest 4.60 sectional. That earned him a debut in A6 company in the snow!

After missing his break a couple of times he came good and broke his maiden tag at the fourth attempt winning in a time of 29.19 off a sectional of 4.53. Upped to A5, he came close twice before recording his fastest sectional of 4.48 and taking up the running at the second bend to run out a comprehensive winner in 28.97. Still an improving pup, hopes were high but things didn’t pan out quite so well in A4.

Either missing the break or just lacking half a yard of early pace, Luigi wasn’t getting a clear run around the first bend and, on 18.3.21, he was badly impeded in an A4 when vying for the lead. He gradually dropped back finishing lame with a wrist injury. Regular ice treatment ensued followed by much rest and regular scans to assess his soft tissue recovery. In all it took him until 30.4.21 to recover sufficiently to return to the track for a sprint trial. Happily he passed with flying colours and his return to the graded strength soon followed.

Still young and with lots of potential improvement, it would be interesting to see how Luigi progressed for his six week recuperation. The answer was positively. His four bend trial saw him trap well but fade somewhat given his lack of racing fitness. In his first race back however he exceeded all expectations, challenging the winner until the final bend and staying much better to finish third in a very respectable 29.19.

He missed the break in his next outing but stayed on well to record a time of 29.05. It was in his third race back on 26.5.21 however that everything clicked. Despite another tardy break he led at the second bend and pulled right away from the field to win by over five lengths in 28.85 – his fastest time to date! And there was more to come!

Luigi immediately followed up in A4. Moderately away, he turned third dog but showed good back straight pace to close in on the leader and overtake him on the home straight. He was up to A3. It took only his second A3 for him to progress to A2! Despite the uplift he led from trap to line showing great early and middle pace and then determination to hold off a late challenge. That resulted in his fastest clocking to date – 28.70 on going that could easily have seen the time recorded as 28.60!

Of course, A2 wasn’t such an easy nut to track but Luigi’s form held with two close-up second place finishes before he was impeded at the traps and badly baulked in his third attempt. There should be no doubt that he can pick up an A2 sooner or later then top grade beckons. Meanwhile he has become very consistent in showing great early pace recording sectional clockings including 4.44 (three times), 4.46 and 4.47.

He quietly slipped down to A4 again before recording back to back wins for the second time and rising to A2. He so nearly won his third attempt, effectively leading until the line and going down by a head in 28.74. That elusive first A1 appearance was however not far away. As at the end of November 2021 Luigi had made three appearances in top grade and came very close to winning before straining a metatarsal and having an enforced rest for a couple of weeks. Further opportunities will surely follow.

As of April 2022 Luigi has now run over 50 graded races at Monmore Green and is currently in A3 grade. He has finished first or second in about 40% of his races. His ultimate claim to fame however may well be that he was the first winner of Jooles Slater’s training career on 5th April 2022 – a day when she recorded her first treble, all of whom were ours!

Check out the videos below.

In June 2022, such has been the shortage of wide runners in certain grades, Luigi appeared on an advance card in trap 6 with a wide runner tag! Before we could take him out he injured himself in the paddock (again) and so he was given a month off to recover and recharge his batteries. He should re-appear on the graded strength at about the end of July – but not as a wide runner!

Luigi did come back and duly won in A4 breaking the 29 second barrier but then started to struggle showing his characteristic early pace but not seeing out the trip. This happened more often and to a greater extent and he then tore his gracilis muscle. We were forced to conclude that enough was enough and Luigi was retired at the end of September 2022. He bowed out with a record of 15 wins from 65 graded races, reaching A1 and recording 28.74 twice. Always a ‘bit of a nutter’ around the kennels, Luigi will make a great pet.

Supreme Odin’s race videos in date order