A chance meeting between a champion racing greyhound and a financial controller at Wolverhampton Racecourse led to a happy ever after moment for a city couple.
Maxine Worthington was midway through a typical day at Dunstall Park when retired racer Mario – aka Mystical Mario – was introduced to colleagues at the track as part of the Black Country Chamber Expo.
The six-year-old black dog won eight times during his racing career, and even qualified for the semi-finals of the 2023 English Greyhound Derby at Towcester Racecourse – the northern hemisphere’s richest and most prestigious racing competition.
But two years after hanging up his racing boots and championing how great retired greyhounds are as pets, Mario has found his forever home in the most unlikely circumstances.
“It was love at first sight,” said Maxine.
“Mario made an immediate impression when he came into the office with kisses and plenty of cuddles.
“My colleagues thought I was joking when I said I wanted to take him home with me! The next day I was on the phone to Ruth (Lambe, Mario’s trainer) and after a successful kennel visit we picked him up three weeks later.
“We couldn’t be happier.
“What’s struck me most is how well our labradoodle, Beryl, has taken to life with Mario. They’re best friends already, and I think that’s because greyhounds are so chilled out and relaxed which you don’t necessarily get with other breeds.
“I went to work one day, and came home with a greyhound. I think it’s wonderful.”
Mario is already adjusting to retired life and enjoyed his first holiday with Maxine and her husband Steve in Shropshire last month.
He is one of thousands of greyhounds to retire from racing every year, with each greyhound’s retirement backed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s Greyhound Retirement Scheme.
Launched in 2020, the scheme works by committing a £420 bond – paid for jointly by a greyhound’s owner during its racing career and the GBGB – which covers costs associated with finding a greyhound its forever home.
Today, 94 per cent of greyhounds bred into the industry are successfully retired.
Maxine added: “Greyhounds make the best pets.
“Of course, there is a period of readjustment when they come into a home environment for the first time.
“Little things like not knowing how to climb stairs might take some getting used to.
“But they are so well cared for and looked after by their trainers during their racing careers, that they take to retirement like a duck to water.
“They’re fantastic with children, require very little exercise contrary to belief and will happily sit on a sofa for 20 plus hours each day. His first holiday to Shropshire was wonderful, nothing about our days out bothered him in the slightest and we’re so pleased to have him.”
To find your nearest GBGB approved homing centre, visit www.withagreyhound.org.uk.
