AS A 9 YEAR OLD
Early season DOLLAR triumphed in a Handicap on grass at Tyrella, County Down and like the matured campaigner he had become he gained further momentum towards the tail end of 2014. He travelled to York in the latter part of September, whereat he finished in a respectable clock of 1:58.6 and this was to be the platform to launch his final career appearance which appropriately took place on a home soil venue at Portmarnock Raceway on the 5th of October.
Not only was that a befitting decision on the part of Walter but furthermore it was also a decorous measure ensuring that DOLLAR would participate for one last race in the James Stewart FFA held annually in memory of his father.
The bookmakers were offering surprisingly generous odds of 9/2 on DOLLAR and possibly that’s been the highest outsider price ever chalked up during the whole of his racing career.
But what a turnaround – DOLLAR & WALTER wrongfooted them completely – after a hesitant start, in the closing stages he stormed around the Malahide turn and took the wind out of the sails of the others in the straight, to be steered home by some excellent piloting by Walter and crossed the finishing line in a time of 1:57.8 – each and every occasion he raced the mile on hard tracks in 2014 he succeeded in breaking the 2 minute barrier….
It was both a jubilant and a sentimental ending to a star studded racing career – DOLLAR has excited and thrilled racegoers in all four home countries but he reserved one of his most dramatic performances for the final curtain. Not only was it a showstopper but he succeeded in bringing the whole house down for another standing ovation – this has been evidenced by the fact that the Stewart family have recived an extraordinary level of tributes both personally and particularly on social media sites….
Walter the discerning horseman, the dedicated trainer and the astute tactician finetuned DOLLAR to perfection in readiness for his farewell race. Over the years DOLLAR gained numerous successes with the Meadowbranch and Porterstown Stables and was trained and driven by the very best in the business – but at heart DOLLAR has really been and always will be a family horse. When Walter wasn’t available his meticulous training schedule was reliably undertaken by Jimmy or Lawrence, shoeing at home was always expertly crafted by Watty and the registration, entries and all associated paperwork was completed efficiently by Carmel. What a team they make and here they are together after his final race, with Watty in the inset….
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