Snip Nua facts for kids
| Species | Dog |
|---|---|
| Breed | Greyhound |
| Sex | Female |
| Born | April 2008 Ireland |
| Died | 14 December 2009 Harold's Cross Stadium, Dublin, Ireland |
| Years active | 2008–2009 |
| Owner | Fior Gael syndicate, (members included comedian Dara Ó Briain) |
Snip Nua was a famous racing greyhound. She became well-known after appearing on a BBC TV show called Three Men go to Ireland. Her story captured the attention of many people, especially those interested in greyhound racing.
Snip Nua: A Racing Greyhound
Her Story
Snip Nua was born in Ireland in the spring of 2008. She was a greyhound, a breed famous for being very fast runners. She became famous because she was part of a BBC television show called Three Men go to Ireland. This show was broadcast in December 2009.
Many people in Ireland were excited about the show. They hoped it would help promote greyhound racing and well as tourism in Ireland. The Irish tourist board even mentioned the show on its website!
Because she was on TV, Snip Nua's race at Mullingar Greyhound stadium was watched by a huge audience. An estimated 5 to 7 million people in the UK alone tuned in to see her run.
What is a Syndicate?
Snip Nua was owned by a group of 16 people called a syndicate named Fior Gael. In Ireland, it's common for people to form syndicates to own greyhounds. This helps share the costs and responsibilities of owning a racing dog.
The Fior Gael syndicate was made up of different professionals. These included lawyers and journalists. Famous members of the group included Frank McNally, a business editor, and comedian Dara Ó Briain. Ó Briain once joked that joining the syndicate was his worst financial decision.
He said that his syndicate had owned six dogs over seven years but had only won one race. Snip Nua was the syndicate's newest dog when the Three Men show was filmed. She seemed like a promising racer who might change their luck. In her first few races, she showed strong performances.
A Short Career
Snip Nua's career as a professional racer was short. On December 14, 2009, she had to be put to sleep. This happened after she got a serious injury to her leg (a hock injury) at Harold's Cross Greyhound Stadium.
After her death, some people held demonstrations at Dara Ó Briain's shows in the UK. They wanted him and the BBC to speak out against the sport of greyhound racing. They were concerned about the welfare of the dogs involved.
