Bogger Hunter was a tremendous winner of the 2023 Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park, showcasing his trademark back straight pace to triumph over a top-class field that included Derby champion Born Warrior, Rathdown Molly, and Stream Of Sydney.
It appeared to be a step towards further glory, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Ian Reilly and his owners at the time, Brendan Keogh and Simon Senyk, believed it best to focus on his early speed and prepare him for a crack at the Irish Sprint Cup.
After a couple of commendable efforts over two bends, he seized his opportunity in the Islandbridge Sprint at Shelbourne Park and finished as the runner-up, beaten just a short head.
All seemed well as he continued his preparations for the Irish Sprint Cup, but injury dashed his hopes. Unfortunately, he would only have two more starts. Efforts to return him to the track were abandoned late in 2023.
Speaking to Ian Reilly yesterday morning, he confirmed that it was the same recurring injury with the brilliantly fast son of Skywalker Farloe and Bottle Of Banter, and they had no choice but to retire him.
He was slated to be rehomed until Paul Cahill stepped forward and inquired about using him as a sire for one of his bitches. Fast forward a few weeks, and the dog ended up with Paul at his Kilkenny base, where he will spend his remaining days.
Given his pace, ability, and pedigree, Paul has decided to give Bogger Hunter a chance in the stud game, and he has been advertised for the past few weeks.
As a brother to the beaten 2022 Derby favorite Calloway Pro Am and possessing the pace and class to win the sole Grade 1 competition of the Shelbourne Park year in the Gold Cup, Bogger Hunter certainly deserves an opportunity for a new career.
We wish Paul and his new charge well, and hopefully, we will see his offspring racing around the tracks of Ireland in the near future.