World Champ Smith gone to the dogs!

NEW World Champion Michael Smith and commentator Wayne Mardle are to buy a GREYHOUND together. 

The oche stars went viral earlier this month when Smith hit a nine-darter in the best leg of all time in the World Championship final.

Mardle’s crazy commentary, including the line “I can’t spake” has now been watched and heard over 25 million times. 

Now the pair have teamed up to buy a racing hound with the name I Can’t Spake to celebrate the feat. 

Mardle said: “A friend suggested Michael and myself should buy a greyhound and name it after the commentary. It’s a fantastic idea and Michael was onboard straight away.

“We hope to find an Open race quality greyhound so it can run in major races and competitions and we’re already on the lookout for our own superstar!”

Mardle has already been in the winners’ enclosure recently. The 49-year-old could not hide his delight when Why Wasn’t I Told won an A2 contest and £160 in prize money at the recently reopened Oxford Stadium on her race debut for trainer Matt Dartnell.

Born in March 2021, the greyhound is named after another of Mardle’s iconic onscreen moments when he gave an unfortunate television interview after losing at the Masters of Darts without realising he was being filmed live.

Mardle added: “Greyhound racing was my full-time hobby growing up. It’s a great sport which has always interested me and during the 90s I used to visit Romford four times a week.

“I was so obsessed I could name every dog on sight as soon as they arrived at the stadium with their trainer. I’m a dog person and love being around them.

“Greyhounds are such fantastic animals. They’re well behaved, chilled, relaxed and make brilliant pets in retirement. I’ve got a 100 per cent record at Oxford this year, so there’s no pressure!”

Words: Phil Lanning

Images: Taylor Lanning