Fred Basset (born 4 October 2004 as Hoppa[1]) is a greyhound dog that was owned and raced by Australian comedy duo Hamish & Andy. The dog's name is taken from the comic strip character Fred Basset, whose strip features regularly on the Hamish & Andy radio show.[2] Since retiring from racing, Fred Basset has become an ambassador for greyhound adoption.[3]
| Breed | Greyhound |
|---|---|
| Sire | Awesome Assassin |
| Dam | Taylah Ruth |
| Sex | Dog |
| Whelped | October 4, 2004 |
| Country | Australia |
| Color | Black |
| Owner | Hamish & Andy |
History
editThe search for a greyhound
editAndy Lee was nominated for the 2006 Cleo Bachelor of the Year competition.[4] Hamish Blake took $860 (initially intended for a holiday for himself and his girlfriend) and won over $12000 for betting on Andy to win.[5]
Listeners' suggestions led to the duo continuing gambling. The pair found "Ange the Dog Whisperer", a greyhound trainer who provided a greyhound named Hoppa sired by Awesome Assassin. On 26 August 2006, this greyhound was named Fred Basset after receiving 77% of listeners' votes. In September 2006, Hamish and Andy purchased the greyhound for $9,000.[6]
The People's Greyhound
editFred's journey was a regular feature on Hamish and Andy's Melbourne-based afternoon drivetime radio show since Andy won Bachelor of the Year. Through every step of the journey, the boys have pushed the idea that Fred is "The People's Greyhound", purportedly since without the continued support of the listeners, Andy would never have won.
Fans of the show flocked to Fred Basset's first-ever race in Melbourne on 12 October 2006. Unfortunately, he placed last in Race 4 at Sandown Raceway (which was named The Hamish and Andy Stakes), but fans remained supportive. Fred then went on to win the Perth Greyhound Race Day with a fairly convincing lead.[7]
Celebrity endorsement
editHamish and Andy competed to find a celebrity who could relate to dogs and who would endorse Fred Basset. Hamish chose to pursue Paris Hilton, since she owns a 'teacup' chihuahua, while Andy chose John Travolta. After fruitless phone calls to American Scientology churches, followed up with a call to Qantas, Andy managed to find a representative from Football Federation Australia promising to find Travolta's details. After a few more days of dead ends, Hamish then received Kiefer Sutherland's mobile phone number but was unable to obtain his endorsement.[citation needed] Currently, Mike Whitney officially endorses Fred.[8]
Track record
editAfter his first loss, Fred won at Albion Park in Brisbane.[9] Later on at Angle Park Raceway in Adelaide, Fred backed up his first win with another victory, beating Nitrix in a close finish.[10]
Race 4 on 11 November 2006 at Cannington Raceway in Perth drew large crowds, however even with the support of Mike Whitney and hundreds of Fred Basset fans, he could not achieve a podium place and finished fourth.[11] Fred's celebrity status meant that he attracted media attention even when he failed to win.[12]
In the 2007 Good Friday Appeal race, Fred won against two other greyhounds. Hamish and Andy donated half of his winnings to the 2007 Good Friday Appeal.[13]
In June 2007 Fred had a bad fall in a race and was forced out of racing until he recovered.[14]
Fred Basset last raced on 12 March 2008. He started in 57 races, for 8 first placings, 11 seconds and 13 thirds. His total prizemoney was $19,720.[15]
Fred Basset now makes promotional and celebrity appearances at various events.[16][17][18] He is also an ambassador for the Greyhound Adoption Program.[19]
Fred the psychic
editFred Bassett enjoys chicken McNuggets, and he is referred to as "the McNugget-loving champion". Hamish and Andy tried to use Fred's taste for McNuggets to predict the future. Before the two football grand finals of 2006 (NRL and AFL) were played, the boys performed two experiments. On one paper plate they wrote Broncos and on another they wrote Storm (these being the two teams who played in the NRL grand final) and placed one McNugget on each. Fred chose the Broncos McNugget, and after that the Broncos went on to win the match. The boys then did the same thing for the AFL, putting a nugget on one plate that read Swans, and another that read Eagles with Fred successfully choosing the winning team, the Eagles, once more.
Since these two key predictions, Fred also has successfully forecast that Mutto would be voted off Australian Idol, a one-in-nine chance.
After Fred's disappointing performance in his first race, it was decided (by Fred himself in a final McNugget choice) that he would choose to race and give up the McNuggets rather than continue as a "psychic lazy dog".
Results
edit| Colour | Result |
|---|---|
| Blue | 1st |
| Green | Place |
| Place | Box | Weight | Distance | Track | Race | Date | Time | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 6 | 32.8 | 525 | MEA | R3 | 2 August 2006 | 30.77625 | 3.75 |
| S | - | - | 520 | DTO | R22 | 7 September 2006 | - | - |
| 1 | 1 | 33 | 450 | BAL | R1 | 20 September 2006 | 25.56 | 10 |
| 1 | 2 | 32.8 | 450 | BAL | R3 | 27 September 2006 | 25.4 | 6.5 |
| 8 | 1 | 32.8 | 515 | SAN | R4 | 12 October 2006 | 31.08625 | 13.75 |
| 1 | 6 | 33.1 | 520 | BGC | R6 | 19 October 2006 | 30.47 | 3 |
| 1 | 2 | 32.6 | 515 | APK | R6 | 26 October 2006 | 29.85 | 0.5 |
| 4 | 6 | 32.7 | 530 | CAN | R4 | 11 November 2006 | 31.396 | 2 |
| 1 | 8 | 32.6 | 457 | GEL | R6 | 20 November 2006 | 25.75 | 6 |
| 3 | 5 | 32.8 | 525 | MEA | R4 | 25 November 2006 | 30.611 | 7 |
| 3 | 5 | 32.6 | 515 | SAN | R9 | 30 November 2006 | 30.4765 | 5.5 |
| 3 | 3 | 32.8 | 457 | GEL | R6 | 8 December 2006 | 25.896 | 2 |
| 3 | 2 | 33 | 450 | BAL | R11 | 13 December 2006 | 25.69405 | 4.35 |
| 6 | 5 | 33 | 525 | MEA | R7 | 23 December 2006 | 31.571 | 17 |
| R | - | - | 525 | MEA | R1 | 30 December 2006 | - | - |
| 4 | 5 | 33 | 450 | BAL | R6 | 3 January 2007 | 26.00675 | 7.25 |
| S | - | - | 525 | MEA | R2 | 6 January 2007 | - | - |
| 3 | 2 | 33 | 457 | GEL | R4 | 2 March 2007 | 26.10625 | 3.75 |
| 3 | 5 | 33.6 | 457 | GEL | R5 | 9 March 2007 | 26.21175 | 2.25 |
| 3 | 7 | 33.4 | 525 | MEA | R2 | 17 March 2007 | 30.6395 | 6.5 |
| 3 | 4 | 33.2 | 515 | SAN | R5 | 22 March 2007 | 30.21525 | 6.75 |
| 5 | 5 | 33.2 | 515 | SAN | R10 | 29 March 2007 | 30.67076 | 6.52 |
| 7 | 7 | 33.4 | 525 | MEA | R10 | 14 April 2007 | 30.95475 | 13.25 |
| 2 | 6 | 33.4 | 450 | WBL | R1 | 25 April 2007 | 25.58025 | 1.75 |
| 1 | 6 | 33.4 | 450 | WBL | R9 | 2 May 2007 | 25.48 | 0.5 |
| 4 | 5 | 33.2 | 525 | MEA | R8 | 9 May 2007 | 30.84075 | 5.25 |
| 4 | 5 | 33.4 | 457 | GEL | R5 | 18 May 2007 | 26.0335 | 4.5 |
| 1 | 1 | 33.4 | 457 | GEL | R6 | 25 May 2007 | 25.82 | 0.25 |
| 2 | 1 | 33.4 | 515 | SAN | R6 | 30 May 2007 | 30.1445 | 1.5 |
| F | 6 | 32.8 | 515 | SAN | R3 | 7 June 2007 | - | - |
| 2 | 7 | 32.8 | 525 | MEA | R10 | 16 June 2007 | 30.632 | 4 |
| 7 | 5 | 33.6 | 525 | MEA | R6 | 20 June 2007 | 31.11275 | 19.25 |
| 6 | 6 | 33 | 480 | HOR | R5 | 26 June 2007 | 28.39 | 10 |
| S | - | - | 525 | MEA | R3 | 30 June 2007 | - | - |
| R | - | - | 450 | WBL | R8 | 11 July 2007 | - | - |
| 2 | 3 | 33.4 | 515 | SAN | R3 | 12 July 2007 | 30.3115 | 0.5 |
| 3 | 3 | 33.2 | 515 | SAN | R7 | 19 July 2007 | 30.52325 | 2.75 |
| 2 | 4 | 32.8 | 515 | SAN | R9 | 26 July 2007 | 30.38725 | 0.75 |
| 2 | 2 | 32.8 | 515 | SAN | R9 | 2 August 2007 | 30.0263 | 0.1 |
| 5 | 2 | 33 | 515 | SAN | R3 | 9 August 2007 | 30.83505 | 11.35 |
| 5 | 6 | 33.2 | 525 | MEA | R1 | 18 August 2007 | 30.83825 | 7.75 |
| 1 | 1 | 33.2 | 457 | GEL | R6 | 24 August 2007 | 25.65 | 0.75 |
| 7 | 4 | 33.4 | 515 | SAN | R9 | 30 August 2007 | 30.758 | 16 |
| 7 | 5 | 33.4 | 515 | SAN | R8 | 5 September 2007 | 30.9375 | 12.5 |
| 2 | 4 | 33.4 | 480 | HOR | R6 | 11 September 2007 | 27.54575 | 0.25 |
| 2 | 1 | 33.4 | 525 | MEA | R4 | 15 September 2007 | 30.2305 | 3.5 |
| 2 | 2 | 33.4 | 480 | HOR | R8 | 18 September 2007 | 27.413 | 1 |
| 4 | 1 | 33.4 | 457 | GEL | R8 | 28 September 2007 | 26.2635 | 4.5 |
| 4 | 7 | 33.4 | 525 | MEA | R9 | 6 October 2007 | 30.4665 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 6 | 33.4 | 525 | MEA | R8 | 10 October 2007 | 31.14475 | 13.25 |
| 4 | 3 | 33.6 | 480 | HOR | R7 | 16 October 2007 | 28.23525 | 6.75 |
| 3 | 4 | 34 | 480 | HOR | R6 | 30 October 2007 | 27.85375 | 6.25 |
| 4 | 6 | 34 | 457 | GEL | R6 | 2 November 2007 | 25.95475 | 3.25 |
| S | - | - | 515 | SAN | R4 | 6 November 2007 | - | - |
| 3 | 8 | 34.5 | 457 | GEL | R6 | 23 November 2007 | 25.87925 | 4.75 |
| 2 | 1 | 34.4 | 450 | BAL | R7 | 28 November 2007 | 25.569 | 3 |
| 5 | 4 | 34.2 | 450 | WBL | R8 | 5 December 2007 | 26.08125 | 8.75 |
| 3 | 2 | 33.8 | 440 | SLE | R7 | 9 December 2007 | 25.59425 | 9.75 |
| 8 | 7 | 34.1 | 515 | SAN | R3 | 20 December 2007 | 31.31975 | 18.25 |
| 4 | 2 | 34.3 | 457 | GEL | R6 | 28 December 2007 | 25.85705 | 5.35 |
| 4 | 1 | 34.4 | 450 | BAL | R3 | 2 January 2008 | 25.943 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 | 34.4 | 332 | WBL | R9 | 5 March 2008 | 19.4975 | 2.5 |
| 7 | 1 | 34.4 | 332 | WBL | R9 | 12 March 2008 | 19.733 | 11 |
Pedigree
edit| New Tears | |||||||||||||||
| Light of Fire | |||||||||||||||
| Centrefire | |||||||||||||||
| Awesome Assassin | |||||||||||||||
| Acacia Ablaze | |||||||||||||||
| Tranquil Flame | |||||||||||||||
| Placid Dove | |||||||||||||||
| Fred Bassett | |||||||||||||||
| Malawi's Prince | |||||||||||||||
| Placard | |||||||||||||||
| Gem's Delight | |||||||||||||||
| Taylah Ruth | |||||||||||||||
| Head Honcho | |||||||||||||||
| Wine Glass | |||||||||||||||
| Hello Pop | |||||||||||||||
References
edit- ^ Streatfeild, Rose (26 November 2018). "Once-famous Fred turns 14". Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Fred Basset's Kennel". fox.com.au. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ Twining, James (10 June 2008). "The people's greyhound". Wyndham Leader. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ "Andy Lee bachelor of the year". news.com.au. 15 September 2006. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ Gatehouse, Luke (November 2006). "Journal" (PDF). 199. Greyhound Racing Authority of Qld: 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 September 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "X X X". austereo.com.au. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ "Fred Basset's first race: a montage". nuts.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
- ^ Willis, Charlotte (6 February 2013). "Best-known Aussie game show hosts: Where are they now?". News.com.au. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- ^ "Fred Right on Script". graq.org.au. 19 October 2006. Retrieved 15 August 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Meegan, Genevieve (29 October 2006). "Fred sets pace for radio lads". news.com.au. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ Evans, Craig (14 November 2006). "The people's greyhound a big hit on track". mandurahmail.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ Atwell, Glen (29 March 2007). "Fred Basset just wouldn't listen". senews.com.au. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
- ^ "Fred shares the love and his cash". news.com.au. 19 September 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ "Fred Down and Out for Two Weeks". racingandsports.com.au. 8 June 2008. Archived from the original on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ "Fred Basset". Greyhound Racing Victoria. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ Pitstock, Kevin (7 November 2008). "Greyhound Adoption Program Christmas Party On November 16th". australianracinggreyhound.com. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ Pitstock, Kevin (19 December 2008). "Bendigo Greyhound Racing Club Celebrates 30 Years". australianracinggreyhound.com. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ Swan, Kate (15 August 2009). "Hound track goes green". Hume Leader. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ "Fred Basset Goes Green". racingforum.com.au. 6 April 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2009.