IM VICTORIOUS returned to Michael and Lara Brennan’s stable complex in Pinjarra last Sunday after an ill-fated trip to last seasons Inter Dominion at Menangle.
It has been an eight-month journey back to good health for the pacer known as Snoop in reference to the rapper Snoop Dog.
Snoop carried the hopes of Western Australia in the 2014 Inter Dominion final earlier this year however a race incident left him fighting for his life, stunning connections, his driver and a nation.
The Brennans were left hoping that a severed super flexor tendon along with a badly lacerated deep flexor and severed tendon sheath would not get infected as the vets at the Sydney University Hospital tried to save the pacer.
Intensive physiotherapy at Sydney’s Rehabilitation Vetinary centre followed with the Brennans receiving regular updates after returning to WA.
After the long recovery process the Brennans were informed Snoop was well enough to return home to lead a relaxed life in his own paddock.
Not just content to hit the road in their float for the trip east, the Brennans decided they would try to give back to the thousands who had kept them going through the difficult time.
The pair fundraised along the way for 4Tracks4Kids, which assist with childhood illnesses and was instigated by Tom Berry, brother of the late jockey Nathan Berry, and Standardbred Australia Unharnessed, a group of people determined to seek homes for pacers once they had finished on the track.
Harness Racing New South Wales, TABCORP Park Menangle, Garrards, Heiniger and Kustom Sketch Designs all assisted in raising more than $18,500 with funds still coming in.
When the Brennans and friend Brad Groves, their mechanic and part-time driver for the trip back from New South Wales, returned to Pinjarra on Sunday the emotion was clear to see.
Snoop was purchased as a two-year-old from New Zealand and went on to record 10 wins from 11 race starts, his Nugget win and Fremantle Cup success among his best.