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Published: July 30, 2010 4:07 pm ET
Last Comment: July 31, 2010 8:09 am ET | 9 Comment(s) | Jump to Comments
World Champion Sportswriter p,2,1:49.2, 3,1:48.3 ($1,566,460) has been officially retired due to a training injury. The three-year-old son of Artsplace – Precious Beauty last raced in the Meadowlands Pace on July 17 and was preparing for a start in the upcoming Confederation Cup at Flamboro Downs when the injury occurred.
Trained throughout his career by Casie Coleman and driven by Mark MacDonald, Sportswriter returned from his champion two-year-old campaign to capture the $1,500,000 Pepsi North America Cup at Mohawk with a gutsy wire to wire effort in 1:48.3. He set a World Record last year winning the $1,000,000 Metro Pace in 1:49.2 and was named champion Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt after winning seven of eight starts.
A $50,000 yearling purchase, Sportwriter was campaigned by Steve Calhoun and West Wins Stable (Casie Coleman/Ross Warriner/Zoltan Kovacs) as a two-year-old. Southwind Farms purchased an interest in the colt at the end of last season.
Current plans call for the colt to start his stallion career in Australia later this year and return to North America for the 2011 breeding season.
“We are all greatly disappointed that Sportswriter’s racing career has come to an end, but we are looking forward to his new career as a stallion. He has shown the speed and courage of a champion and we are confident that he will pass these qualities on to his offspring,” said Mike Klau, Syndicate Manager of Southwind Farms.
(Southwind Farms)
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31-7-2010 8:09 amI am shocked and very sad
I am shocked and very sad ,this horse and his owners, his group of trainers and mark must be very upset .They all had very optimistic hopes and dreams for Sportswriter this season, as well as all us Canadian fans.I just want to tell them they are not alone in this sadness, we all share in this, but this old sport of kings, always has hard knocks and surprises and that must be why we all love it so much
30-7-2010 11:28 pmLast year thought this was
Last year thought this was the next Somebeachsomewhere but had too many problems and excuses this year.Great horse though,just not great health,unlike Somebeachsomewhere who could have still been wowing us this year on the racetrack and adding to his great legacy.
30-7-2010 9:31 pmDan Belliveau Not entirely
Dan Belliveau
Not entirely surprised because it was a warm July and August could be warmer. Apparently he had issues with the heat in NJ. Hopefully the syndicate will get him a fan before his breeding career starts.
30-7-2010 8:25 pmNo it wasn't the reason he
No it wasn't the reason he didn't race in the Adios.
30-7-2010 6:47 pmFive quarter cracks this
Five quarter cracks this year according to the trainer of sportswriter. patch them up,patch them up,and race them. Seems to be the new reality in horse racing,I am sad to say.
30-7-2010 5:41 pmWas this the real reason for
Was this the real reason for not going to the Adios?
30-7-2010 5:34 pmThat is sad news indeed.
That is sad news indeed. Atleast he provided some great memories on the racetrack. All connections have my sincere condolences.
30-7-2010 5:26 pmGood Luck in your new career
Good Luck in your new career Sportswriter
sorry to see you go so soon
Marie Stoyles-Moura
31-7-2010 9:41 amThats a great shame, but
Thats a great shame, but didn't the same stable have the same luck last year with art colony where he only lasted a few starts ????
You need to have the legs under them when they have to go that speed, not wrap them in cotton wool.