Pacific Rocket, who joined the stallion ranks for owners Dr. Andrew and Suzanne Daniels at their Calderwood Farm in Albion Park, North-South Wales in 2008, succumbed to a sustained bout of colic and had to be humanely euthanized today (Thursday, May 21).

'Rocket,' as he was affectionately known, had a successful stud career in both the U.S. and New Zealand.

He was a lovely black horse standing just over 16 hands and was always a pleasure to handle and be around, which made stud duties a dream, as long as you were quiet. His last foals in Australia were born in the 2013/2014 season. He had a respectable record in Australia with 140 starters for 89 winners at an average of $21,000 (AUD) in stakes.

Pacific Rocket was a star on the track. He took his mark in 1:50 and retired with 30 victories, 52 on-the-board finishes from 64 career starts, and banked $2.33 million in purses. During his career, he set and equalled world records on half and five-eighths-mile tracks and held a string of track records.

As a three-year-old, Pacific Rocket won $1.4 million racing against top horses such as Cams Card Shark, Magical Mike, Armbro Macintosh, Falcons Future and Hi Ho Silverheels, amongst others.

As a sire in the U.S., Pacific Rockets sired progeny with massive earnings of over $33 million. These included the dual Breeders Crown champion Boulder Creek (1:48.2), who earned $2.3 million.

Notable performers sired by Pacific Rocket in Australasia include Shardons Rocket, Rocket Reign, Pacific Warrior K and Mister Skye Rocket, among many others.

He also left his mark as a broodmare sire, as he was the broodmare sire of exceptional mares Dont Think Twice (1:51.2), Dynamite Denn Nee and Our Els Dream.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Pacific Rocket.

(Lorraine Barnes)