The Journey of the Havana Class Champion
Few animals exhibit loyalty and devotion quite like a dog. Their love for their owners transcends mere affection; it often borders on worship. This unwavering bond endures even after the owner's passing, as demonstrated by the poignant story of Hachiko, the Japanese dog who waited nearly ten years at a train station for his deceased owner. Hachiko's tale raises a question: do people truly appreciate such selfless devotion? Generally, yes—people often reciprocate similar loyalty and love.
However, in the realm of dog racing, the dynamics shift towards financial gain, complicating the relationship between dogs and their owners. Greyhounds are bred for speed, and their success on the track translates into monetary rewards, leading some owners to prioritize profit over their bond with the dog. The question arises: is it love for the dog or love for money that prevails?
Most greyhound owners genuinely care for their dogs, maintaining friendships that last beyond the racing career. After retiring, many dogs live with their owners, who love them just as much as when they were actively competing. It's commonplace for owners to sell a dog to a trustworthy new owner, allowing the dog to form new bonds. However, the situation becomes dire when a retired racer is sold to someone in a country like China, where legal racing does not exist, and the dog's fate becomes uncertain. This often occurs when the allure of substantial financial offers proves too tempting for owners, or when dogs are sold through intermediaries who mislead the original owners. Such irresponsible handling reduces dogs to mere commodities, leaving them to face a bleak existence far from the love they deserve.
Havana Class's Career and Retirement
Havana Class, a premier sprinter and standard distance runner in 2021-2022, concluded his racing career on September 8, 2022, the same day Queen Elizabeth II passed away, at Perry Barr Stadium. During the opening race of the Birmingham Cup, Havana Class suffered a hock injury on the second turn, abruptly ending both his race and his career. Following the announcement of the Queen's death, the day's races were cancelled, and the Birmingham Cup was postponed.
Trainer Rab McNair often pondered how things might have unfolded differently had the news been revealed before the race. Perhaps, he mused, the injury could have been avoided entirely.
Born in July 2019, Havana Class shares bloodlines with his renowned brother, Jimmy Lollie, both sired by World Class. Over the course of his career, Havana Class competed in 52 races, achieving victory in 25 and finishing second in 15. His notable wins include the Watling Street Sprint in Towcester (270m) in 2021, the Sussex Sprint Trophy at Hove Stadium, and the Laurels in 2021. He also placed second in prestigious events like the Sovereign Stakes, Silver Salver, and Northamptonshire Sprint.
Rab McNair described him as “the sweetest, best-mannered dog" who had a natural talent for racing, capable of winning without intensive training. After his injury, Havana Class was sent to the KSS Syndicate kennel in Kent for recovery, where he had previously trained under Rab and Liz McNair. By November 4, he was moved to his breeder, Drew Richards, in Northern Ireland for rehabilitation. Along with him were two young female dogs intended for breeding, marking a new chapter in his life as a stud.
Yet, despite these hopeful prospects, the story does not conclude with a happy ending.
Exporting to China
In the spring of 2023, news broke that Havana Class had been exported to China, leaving everyone involved stunned. KSS Syndicate owner Brendan Keogh was notably upset, as the team had never sold their retired dogs. When approached with a €100,000 offer for retired champions King Eden and King Turbo, they outright declined. The retired dogs are content in their enclosures and around the house. Had they known Havana Class's fate, they would have made room for him.
Drew Richards, the breeder and owner of Havana Class, recounted that a man named Michael Sullivan from Tipperary had reached out to him seeking a quality stud. Richards sold Havana Class for a nominal £2,000, stipulating that he would be allowed to bring bitches for mating. However, when he later tried to contact Sullivan to arrange this, his calls went unanswered, and no one in Tipperary seemed to know him.
As there are no direct flights from Ireland to China, it is likely that the dog was exported from the UK. The GBGB (Greyhound Board of Great Britain) has announced an urgent investigation to uncover the facts, as their racing regulations prohibit the export of greyhounds to China. Phillip Law, the Director of Regulation for GBGB, has been tasked with the investigation and has received relevant materials and evidence.
Unfortunately, the investigation yielded no results; the trail for the dog went cold, and there were no suspects or witnesses to speak of. A similar incident occurred in August 2023 involving Gougane Jet (Reggie), who was named sprinter of the year. His owners sold him for €30,000 to a buyer in Ireland without verifying the purchaser’s credentials, only to later discover that Reggie had ended up in China.
The cultural differences between European and Asian countries are widely recognised. Without centralised oversight from regulatory bodies, there’s no assurance that these esteemed British greyhounds, after serving as stud dogs abroad, won’t face dire fates, such as being fed to other animals or subjected to cruelty in the name of cuisine.
Currently, there is no information regarding the whereabouts of Havana Class or Gougane Jet (Reggie), which is disheartening, as their chances of enjoying a peaceful retirement appear bleak. This situation arises from the fact that UK law permits the export of dogs to other countries. Unscrupulous buyers often exploit this loophole, luring owners with significant sums or simply deceiving them. To combat this, it is essential for both GBGB and dog owners to meticulously scrutinise all instances of British dogs being sold abroad. It is a profound injustice when a dog, having devoted itself to its owner and sport, is treated as a mere commodity, ultimately facing a tragic end.