THE remarkable racing career of Cumbria Jack came to an emotional close on Saturday night, with the champion greyhound falling agonisingly short of a fairytale finish in the $1 million Group 1 Brisbane Cup.
Starting as the $3.30 second favourite, the son of Fernando Bale and Cumbria Ninno stepped cleanly from the boxes before settling fourth in the early stages as Jason Thompson-trained Consigliere burst to the lead.
As the field rounded the home turn, Cumbria Jack unleashed the devastating finishing burst that became his trademark throughout an extraordinary career.
Sweeping wide, the star chaser rapidly reeled in the leader and looked poised to snatch one final Group 1 victory in the shadows of the post.
But Consigliere ($8) refused to yield, clinging on by the narrowest of margins to deny Cumbria Jack the perfect farewell.
In a fitting display of sportsmanship after the race, master trainer Tony Brett embraced winning trainer Luke Thompson, showcasing the respect between these two kennels.
“It was a terrific performance. He was tough from start to finish,” Thompson said.
“He (Cumbria Jack) put in a huge run and retires as one of the best dogs we’ve seen in recent years, and up there as one of the best chasers I’ve seen in my lifetime.”
Although victory narrowly eluded him in his final start, Cumbria Jack leaves the sport with a legacy few greyhounds can match.
The Brett-trained superstar retires with an outstanding record of 27 wins and nine placings from just 39 starts, highlighted by two Group 1 victories, a Group 2 crown, a Group 3 title and the standing 520-metre track record at Purga.
