Race Rewind: Farewell To Niatross

On this date (December 27) in 1980, the harness racing world witnessed the swan song performance from pacing phenom Niatross.

He had broken nearly every record in racing to that point, but one mark eluded him: the world record on a five-eighths mile track. In an effort to break Storm Damage's 1:53.2f record, Niatross was entered in a field of eight pacers at Pompano Park for the $35,000 Elsie Berger Pace (named for the pacer's breeder and co-owner).

The track enjoyed a record crowd of 18,415 patrons, all surely hoping to witness history and catch a final glimpse of one of the greatest to ever look through a bridle. Pompano opened half an hour early, with reports of some 5,000 people turned away at the gate.

While the horses entered in the race would not deny Niatross victory, the elements were neither kind nor conducive to record-setting conditions.

'I really didn't think he would do it in this weather. I never really thought he'd get it," said trainer-driver Clint Galbraith after the victory. "It was just too cold to make any world records here tonight. He set a track record they won't break for awhile though."

Despite starting from post 8, Niatross and Galbraith were much the best, winning by some 15 lengths over older pacer Wizard Almahurst in a time of 1:54.3f -- breaking the existing standard at Pompano by nearly two seconds.

Niatross retired with a stellar summary of 37 wins from 39 starts -- an unbeaten 12-race season at two, followed by a 24-for-26 season at age three. The victory at Pompano lifted his lifetime bankroll to $2,019,212, another record for a Standardbred and the only racehorse of any breed to earn that much in two seasons of racing.

Niatross would be shipped to Castleton Farm in Kentucky to commence his stallion career. He was later named both the U.S. Horse of the Year (for the second straight year) and the New York Post athlete of the year, besting his human competition.

(photo courtesy niatross.com)