Trot Insider has learned that McWicked, 2018 Horse of the Year and the richest pacing stallion in harness racing history, will stand stud in Ontario in 2020.

McWicked's trainer Casie Coleman broke the news to Trot Insider on Tuesday (Dec. 3). Winbak Farm of Ontario officially announced the news on Wednesday (Dec. 4). The contents of Winbak's official announcement appear further down this story.

"I'm very excited that he's going to Ontario," Coleman told Trot Insider on Tuesday. "Ed [James] did have a lot of options on the table."

A winner of the 2014 Dan Patch and O'Brien Awards as three-year-old male pacer of the year, McWicked was the best horse in harness racing in 2018 and swept horse of the year honours in both Canada and the U.S., becoming the oldest pacer to win the U.S. Horse of the Year title. A winner of the Adios, Breeders Crown, Max Hempt, PASS Championship and Progress Pace as a sophomore, McWicked rebounded from throat surgery and battled through foot issues to capture virtually every major stakes event for older pacers. In the seasons between 2017 and 2019 McWicked prevailed in the Mohawk Gold Cup, the Jim Ewart Memorial (twice), the Ben Franklin, the William Haughton Memorial, the Gerrity Memorial, the Canadian Pacing Derby, the Allerage Open Pace (twice), the Roll With Joe, the Dan Rooney Invitational (twice), the Breeders Crown and the TVG Open Pace.

His 2018 bankroll of $1.662 million made him the oldest horse to top North American harness racing's earnings standings at the age of seven. With another million-dollar season in 2019, McWicked boasts earnings of $5,086,646 in his stellar career. In summary of 40-26-16 competing almost exclusively in stakes competition. The son of McArdle - Western Sahara sports a mark of 1:46.2, the third fastest race win time ever.

McWicked will stand at Winbak Farm in Ontario for a stud fee of $6,500. The stallion will reportedly be syndicated with shares available.

McWicked Will Stand at Winbak Farm of Ontario

Winbak Farm of Ontario is proud to announce that McWicked (p, 2, 1:52f; 3, 1:47.3f; 1:46.2 -'18 [$5,103,271]) has joined the lineup for 2020.

“We are very excited to stand a great warhorse like McWicked,” said Winbak Farm General Manager Garrett Bell. “I want to thank Mr. James and Casie Coleman for the opportunity.”

McWicked was voted the 2018 USHWA Dan Patch and 2018 O’Brien Horse of the Year and 2018 Aged Pacer of the Year. At seven, he was the oldest horse to ever win Horse of the Year honours from USHWA.

“McWicked’s accomplishments on the track are immeasurable and we look forward to seeing what his offspring will achieve,” said Winbak Farm of Ontario Manager Pat Woods. “He showed endurance and great strength by winning races from two through eight.”

He retires as the richest pacing stallion ever and is second behind Foiled Again on the all-time earnings list for pacers.

“McWicked gave it 110 per cent everyone he got behind the gate,” said trainer Casie Coleman. “He was first-over more than any horse I have ever seen and raced strong up until the end of his career at eight years old.”

In 2018, he was the oldest horse in 43 years to top the leading money earners list in North America.

“McWicked was one of the most intelligent horses I’ve ever sat behind,” said driver Brian Sears. “He was very smart and all business.”

The champion grew a large fan base across North America, as he raced competitively against the best of his division.

“McWicked was impressive on any size track and had perfect manners,” said Coleman. “He had a great gait and was smart and classy.”

In 2019, McWicked achieved his third season of earning a million dollars or more.

“He has all the make-up of being a top stallion; speed at every age he raced, $5 million in earnings, toughness, soundness, and conformation,” said Woods “Year in and year out, this horse was a winner and he won 40 races against North America’s best.”

At two, McWicked won two Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions and was second in the Historic Series division, Keystone Classic Stakes division, Matron Stakes elimination and two Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions.

In 2014, McWicked was both the USHWA and O’Brien Award Winner for Three-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year.

At three, McWicked won the Adios Stakes elimination, Breeders Crown Final, Delvin Miller Adios Stakes final, Max Hempt Memorial elimination and final, North America Cup elimination, Progress Pace elimination, two Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship final. He was second in the Breeders Crown elimination, Carl Milstein Memorial final, Pennsylvania Sire Stakes division and Somebeachsomewhere Stakes elimination. At four, McWicked was second in the Allerage Farm Stakes.

“McWicked is a big, strong horse that has a huge back end and shoulder,” said Coleman. “He has a long gait and wore no boots.”

From five to eight, McWicked won the Allerage Farms twice, Ben Franklin elimination and final, Breeders Crown final, Canadian Pacing Derby final, Dan Rooney Invitational division twice, George Morton Levy Series leg, Jim Ewart Memorial twice, Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial division, Mohawk Gold Cup, TVG Open final, and William R. Haughton Memorial division. He was second in the Allerage Farms, Ben Franklin final, Breeders Crown elimination and final, Dan Patch Stakes division, Dayton Pacing Derby division, two George Morton Levy Series legs, Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, Mohawk Gold Cup, Sam McKee Memorial and TVG-Open final.

“I won two Breeders Crowns with McWicked,” said Sears. “He was all business and a game racehorse that was great gaited.”

McWicked was able to win on every size track during his career.

“McWicked as the perfect size and had everything one could ask for,” said Sears. “He had great conformation.”

McWicked is expected to cross well with several leading bloodlines.

“The best part about McWicked is that with him being a son of McArdle, he will cross well with most of the best and most popular broodmare bloodlines,” said Woods.

The connections of McWicked highly anticipate 2021 when his first commercial crop will hit the ground.

“I will always be appreciative of how smart McWicked is,” said Sears. “I hope his potential offspring get his intelligence.”

McWicked will soon arrive to Winbak Farm of Ontario. He will stand his first season for $6,500 Canadian.

“We would like to thank Mr. James for allowing us to stand McWicked. McWicked is the kind of horse you dream about adding to a stallion lineup,” said Woods. “There is no doubt in my mind that McWicked will have a huge impact on the Ontario breeding and racing programs.”

Limited syndication opportunities are available. Please call Winbak Farm of Ontario at 905-838-2145 or email [email protected].

(Winbak Farm)