Superstar Mongys is "enjoying the fuss" says Wallis
Champion trainer has no doubt where he sits in his pantheon of great stayers - at the top!
Brilliant stayer with trophy-laden CV leaves great memories for Imperial Kennels
MARK WALLIS says he's been overwhelmed by the reaction and the kind words directed the way of Mongys Wild after his superstar of a stayer pulled up in Saturday's Barking Mad Betting TV Trophy Final at Towcester.
A social media post from Imperial Kennels on Monday reported 'Ned' to be back home and on the road to recovery, two days after a bid to retain his TV Trophy effectively ended within a matter of strides.
"I thought when he broke in front we were on our way, but it soon became apparent something was not right and it was then just a case of making sure he was comfortable and the team at Towcester - Sammy and Diego - did a great job.
"We got him back to the kennels and he was with the vet Stefano Malegori on Monday to have the injury fixed and he's resting now and in really good spirits to be fair. He'll make a full recovery and then we'll see where we're at in terms of the future, but either way he'll have a fantastic retirement."
Looking back on Saturday's contest, Wallis admitted to being "gutted" at how Mongys Wild's career ended, but was quick to congratulate Paul Young for the victory of Droopys Rated in Saturday's Category One decider which shared the stage with the third round of the Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd. English Greyhound Derby.
Victory for Droopys Rated, who had set a track record in the heats and equalled that time in the final, was a fifth TV Trophy success for the Romford trainer - matching Wallis's record haul achieved with Mongys Wild's victory 12 months previously.
"It was gutting to see his fantastic career end that way, especially when I really feel we had plenty to look forward to. I'd even thought longer term about trying to win a third Golden Jacket with him at Monmore.
"But that's not to be now and I'd just like to say well done to Paul (Young) and his team - and his owners, who are superb dog people. Droopys Rated broke Ned's record in the heats so was always going to be the one to beat and he's a really good addition to the marathon ranks. Sadly we won't be able to take him on now with Ned, but we've got some incredible memories of his racing career.
"Ned was a true superstar of the sport and we will miss seeing him race, but the nights he gave us will never be forgotten. He's been one of the best ever with an incredible CV and won a whole batch of major trophies.
"He's a real character in the kennels, too, and absolutely loves his cuddles which he’ll be getting plenty of whilst he recovers!"
Owned by the MWD Partnership, Mongys Wild won 29 of his 35 starts in the UK having previously been trained by Graham Holland to win three of his six starts in Ireland - two at Shelbourne and one at Cork. His last race in Ireland was as a staying-on fourth in the Winter Racing Festival Novice 750.
Making a winning debut for the Wallis team over 500m at Towcester in January 2025, the October 22 son of Roxholme Olaf and Banter Breeze was soon stepped up to 712m and began to rack up the wins and aimed at all the major staying prizes - starting with the TV Trophy.
Winning heat and final of the 942m marathon showpiece, Mongys Wild went on to win two Ladbrokes Golden Jackets at Monmore, the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger at Nottingham, the Premier Greyhound Racing Regency at Hove and the Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch at Central Park.
Mongys Wild also set track records at Nottingham for the 730m trip, Towcester for 942m, and Monmore's 684m (twice).
At one stage of his career, Mongys Wild won 13 races in a row until his defeat at the paws of Patrick Janssens' Fabulous Heka in the Arc Select Stayers at Nottingham.
Wallis added: "I know people were talking about Ballyregan Bob's record at that stage, but that wasn't to be. However, his record in the major competitions was second to none and he's the best stayer I've ever trained, for sure. To have him and Proper Heiress in the kennel at the same time is quite mind-blowing really - and we couldn't have asked for much more.
"Thank-you to everyone who has messaged us with their best wishes - Ned loves the fuss!"
