Trot Insider has learned that veteran pacer The Masters recently passed away
. It is believed the pacer died of a heart attack in his sleep.
The graduate of the Ontario Sires Stakes program, who retired from racing last spring, became a regular in the top pacing classes offered at Western Fair Raceway and many other tracks across the province. In addition to banking more than $540,000 in earnings for trainer Mark Horner, The Masters also picked up a Horse of the Year title at Western Fair Raceway.
“The Masters is going to be missed by all of us but especially by me; he was my baby,” said co-owner Stephanie Horner. “It is still so hard to believe that he is gone; the barn is so quiet now without him. His untimely passing was a shock to all of us as he was only 13 years old.”
The multiple stakes-winning son of Armbro Emerson was well-known as a half-mile specialist, but he earned a career-best clocking of 1:52.3 at Woodbine Racetrack during his seven-year-old campaign back in 2003.
“He was such a classy horse; he always put out 100%,” added Horner, who shared ownership on the 46-time winner with his breeder, Ray Webb.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of The Masters.
It was a special day almost
It was a special day almost 13 years ago when The Masters came into this world , they were teeing it up in Augusta, Georgia and we were watching a great race horse being brought into this world. From the very start Dad said he was going to be a great one and he sure turn out to be right. He gave my mom and dad many great memories and many happy days traveling from race track to track watching him. We would like to thank Stephanie and Mark for all the hard work and love that they gave to the old horse he was treated like a king everyday they had him also everyone else at Horner Stables that took care of, trained and drove The Masters. I know it was a sad day when the call came in and we got the bad news. My father said he may have died from a heart attack but he believes that it was more a broken heart because he was unable to what he loved most and that was race.
Thanks again for all the memories The Masters. by Richard Webb "I wish I could have seen you race one more time."
Joan and Ray Webb and family
My heart goes out to you
My heart goes out to you guys; especially Stephanie! We always liked to swap stories of our two favourite boys- The Masters and Personal Agenda! They were so much alike in the paddock on race night and duelled against each other many a time. What a great picture of you and the Master- how lucky for him to have been so loved and never changed barns once!!!! He died in his favourite place of all- fat and happy!!!
We will all miss him and his spunky character.
Jen Unger
Mark and Stephanie -- I'm so
Mark and Stephanie -- I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I hope it's some small consolation that he did get his 15 minutes of fame in the pages of Trot. He was a great character -- my heart goes out to you both.
Karen Briggs.
Great picture, I can see the
Great picture, I can see the fondness you had for your horse. Very nice! God Bless.
He giveth and he taketh away.
Sally Gilbert.