Fan Hanover Passes

Fan Hanover, the only filly to win the Little Brown Jug, passed away on August 23, 2011 in Inglewood, Ont

. at the age of 33. She had been leading a life of well-deserved retirement since producing her last foal in 2001. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living Horse of the Year, standardbred or thoroughbred.

Purchased as a yearling at Harrisburg in 1979 for $20,000 by Dr. Glen Brown, the daughter of Albatross from Farm Norah was trained and driven by the late Glen Garnsey during her three racing seasons. The late Odell Short was her caretaker throughout that career. She remained in Dr. Brown’s ownership until her death.

At two, Fan Hanover won 16 of 19 starts, with two seconds and a third for earnings of $201,264. Her record at two of 1:56.4f was a new World Record. She set three track records at two and was voted Horse of the Year in Canada.

Her three-year-old season saw records set with nearly every race. She won 17 of 23 starts with three seconds and a third, for $497,718. Her earnings are even more remarkable when it’s considered that only three of her starts carried purses of $100,000 or more. She won the Little Brown Jug in straight heats, with her 1:56.3h heat equaling the World Record for a filly. She also set a new World Record at the Meadows of 1:55.3f. In fact, at three, she set 14 different track records, won on 11 different tracks and set a track record on six of those tracks. She had 17 wins in 2:00 or better at three, more than any filly or mare in history. She was voted Horse of the Year in both Canada and the United States.

At four, she added another 12 wins and $270,643 to end her career with 45 wins in 72 lifetime starts for $969,724. She became the fastest female of all time with her sensational 1:50.4 time trial at Lexington. She was voted the top Older Pacing Mare at four, while winning the Milton and Roses Are Red Stakes.

Fan Hanover had been inducted into both the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York, and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The richest stakes in the sport for three-year-old pacing fillies has been named in her honour by the Woodbine Entertainment Group.

As a broodmare, she never re-produced her own brilliant qualities, although she left six winners with four in 1:57 and three winners of over $100,000.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Fan Hanover

(Dr. Glen Brown)