It is an understatement to say that last week was a big one in both horse racing and the world, generally. One of the stories that slipped through the cracks during the frantic days was that of a barn fire which claimed the lives of 15 racehorses.

On Saturday, March 7 at Crane Thoroughbreds in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, 15 racehorses lost their lives despite efforts to save all of the equine that were on the premises.

According to an article by the Lebanon Daily News, Clovis Crane, the owner of Crane Thoroughbreds, was alerted to the fire during the afternoon of March 7. He ran out without his shoes on and was able to save seven of the horses. Four horses were also saved from a nearby structure. Despite all of Crane’s efforts, 15 horses still perished.

"You can't comprehend that this has actually happened to you," Crane told the Lebanon Daily News a few days after the tragedy. "It doesn't feel like it really happened. I'm just in shock really, and in disbelief, and just sad."

Crane Thoroughbreds preps young horses for the races, trains some stock for owners, and also does its best to re-train and re-home runners once their on-track careers are done.

The support for Crane Thoroughbreds has been swift and generous, and the gestures have not been lost on those that are in the eye of the storm.

"This is a devastating situation, but it really makes you open your eyes and realize that there's a lot of good people and there's a lot of good things that happen," Crane was quoted as saying. "The outreach and support has been mindboggling, and humbling."

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of the horses that lost their lives in the fire.

(With files from the Lebanon Daily News)

(Photo Cutline: Clovis Crane pictured with his daughter, Dalia)