Brennan Ryan penned this tribute in the Greyhound Recorder. Highlighting Tasmania’s only National Sprint Championship winner Busy Vintage and his legendary trainer David Crosswell.
DAVID Crosswell and Busy Vintage remain legendary names in Tasmanian greyhound racing history following their heroics in 1984.
It’s been 41 years since Busy Vintage’s incredible victory in the Group 1 National Sprint Championship at the now-closed Harold Park circuit in New South Wales, and 81-year-old David still enjoys reminiscing about that unforgettable moment.
He, along with late wife Margaret, were inducted to the Tasmanian Greyhound Hall of Fame in 2019.
“Every year when the National Sprint Championship rolls around, it always comes to mind,” David said.
Busy Vintage’s victory in the 1984 National Sprint Championship was a proud moment for Tasmania, marking the first ever time that a dog from the Apple Isle claimed victory in one of the country’s most prestigious races.
He came from box two defeating a stellar line up over 457-metres, beating Victoria’s Eaglehawk Star and Western Australia’s Blue Echo.
Bookmakers listed Busy Vintage as the third favourite at 6/1, reflecting their respect for his talent and current form.
“Busy Vintage didn’t actually jump well for the first time until the National Sprint Final,” said Crosswell.
“He was a powerful dog, capable of running the 580 metres at Devonport with ease.
“There was nothing much going to run him down once he went to the front.”
David and wife, Margaret, bred Busy Vintage (Highland Summer – Tiny Port), affectionately known as Collis, with Steve Coleman owning him throughout his 46-race career, during which he won 26 times collecting $44,676 in prizemoney.
Although his exceptional career was shortened by injury, he went on to a career at stud.
The pedigree of Busy Vintage was one of David’s greatest accomplishments in his six decades in the sport. It all began with his first stud dog, Summerdown Chief, and his first broodbitch, Arkle’s Girl, which together produced Highland Summer.
Highland Summer later produced Busy Vintage, which became the sire of David’s other champion, True Vintage.
Early on, Busy Vintage’s career could have been tragically cut short due to a Parvovirus outbreak in Tasmania in the eighties, which severely affected Crosswells former Sandford property.
“We cared for them tirelessly night and day, in the end they all made a full recovery,” David said.
Winning the National Sprint was a proud moment for David, as he felt honoured to represent his home state.
Busy Vintage remained unbeaten throughout the Tasmanian Sprint Championship, clinching the final victory in Hobart.
David and his champion dog flew to New South Wales not long after, staying with the late, great Les Harper.
“It was an amazing field with an impressive lineup of dogs from all over the country,” he said.
“We put Busy Vintage through several trials on Harold Park’s U-turn track, and it really paid off in the end getting familiar with the track. We gave him every opportunity, especially in such a big race, and everything worked out great for us.”
David, Margaret, and Busy Vintage gained plenty of attention from local media upon returning home to Tasmania, bringing with them the prestigious National Sprint trophy, a $27,500 cheque, and immense pride for the small state.
Busy Vintage also competed in the 1985 Hobart Thousand, finishing second to the legendary Brother Fox.
He also featured in a $60,000 Match Race at Hobart against Victorian star Super Max.
Track records were also set at the Showgrounds in Hobart over 497-metres and in Devonport over 580-metres.
It’s no surprise he earned the title of Tasmanian GOTY in 1984-85, later inducted to the Tasmanian Greyhound Hall of Fame in 2011.
Stud duties called for Busy Vintage, starting in Sydney, then moving on to Melbourne before returning to the Crosswells.
Collis lived to the remarkable age of 14, passing away peacefully while being cared for like the star he was.
“The National Sprint is a tough race to win, and Busy Vintage was the only dog from Tasmania to do it,” David said.
With the 2025 National Sprint happening in Queensland at The Q later this month, David will stroll to his trophy room near his kennels and admire the iconic National Sprint trophy, a reminder of the race that brought him such cherished memories.