Vena Discusses Sakic Seelster Passing

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Owner Santo Vena of Brampton, Ont. told Trot Insider that Sakic Seelster, one of Canada's top older trotters, had to be euthanized today after having

seriously re-injured a coffin bone which was recently broken.

"When I got the call today I was really in shock," Vena said.

Santo, who co-owns the Eager Seelster gelding with his brother, Nunzio Vena, of Bolton, Ont., told Trot Insider that Sakic Seelster had initially suffered the broken bone during his last race, a November 11 tilt at Woodbine Racetrack in which he finished second by a nose in 1:55.3.

"He had surgery the next morning in Guelph," Santo explained. "They operated on him and put in steel plates. He was there three weeks."

After the surgery, Santo was told that Sakic Seelster's racing career was probably over. A special stall had been prepared at the farm of trainer Ben Baillargeon for the six-year-old to be on strict stall rest. If his racing career was to be over even after the rehabilitation, the gelding was going to live out his years at Baillargeon's farm.

"Something happened," Santo said. "They think that he may have stepped on his foot, but it cracked worse."

From 66 career starts, Sakic Seelster raced to an impressive slate of 19 wins, four second-place finishes and four thirds, good for $369,205 in purses. His mark of 1:52.1 was taken during a solid five-year-old campaign in which he compiled a record of 10-1-1 from 24 starts.

Previously trained by John Dorion and Wayne Henry, Sakic Seelster found much success in the Baillargeon barn, from which he stepped some big miles in the nation's top class.

Santo told Trot Insider that the love people had for Sakic Seelster was not just due to the cheques he earned and the prestige he brought.

"His personality was something else," he said. "The way he went on in the paddock and the way he played with those closest to him was truly unique. A lot of people say it (horse ownership) is all about the money, but it wasn't about the money with him.

"There were a lot of people that really got attracted to this horse. My co-workers, family and friends really enjoyed Sakic, and the news we got today was really devastating."

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Sakic Seelster.

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