Somebeachsomewhere is the greatest horse in Ontario Sires Stakes history, according to an informal poll conducted as part of the program’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Among the Lampman Cup-winning drivers, Johnston Cup-winning trainers, Hall of Fame breeders, renowned handicappers and iconic builders who were asked to provide their top 10 choices for the most influential horses in the OSS program’s 50-year history, the son of March Three earned the most votes and most first-place rankings.

“It’s quite the accomplishment to be recognized as the greatest horse in the history of OSS racing,” said Brent MacGrath, Somebeachsomewhere’s trainer.

Bred by Stephanie Smith-Rothaug of Saint Louisville, Ohio, Somebeachsomewhere was purchased by MacGrath for $40,000 from the 2006 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. The colt was driven throughout his $3,328,755 career by Guelph, Ont., resident Paul MacDonell and owned by MacGrath and Schooner Stables of Bible Hill, N.S.

In 21 starts Somebeachsomewhere was only bested once, edged out by Art Official in the 2008 Meadowlands Pace, a defeat almost as memorable as his 14 sophomore victories which included the North America Cup, Messenger, Breeders Crown, Confederation Cup, Tattersalls, OSS Super Final and the Bluegrass, where he paced in 1:46.4, equaling the fastest race mile ever recorded at that time. For those exploits, he was awarded Horse of the Year honours on both sides of the border.

“From my perspective, [the race that stands out the most for me] was the race when he won the North America Cup,” MacDonell said. “It was a local race and the Ontario-sired horse going into it as the heavy favourite and he completed the task. It was in front of his home town, in front of family and friends and he delivered, so it was a pretty exhilarating moment.”

Added McGrath: “If you listen to the crowd at the North America Cup video on Youtube it’s incredible. It’s like a football game, and that’s not normal for a horse race. So, that was certainly very exciting, but every one of his races were exciting.”

As a two-year-old, Somebeachsomewhere raced exclusively in Ontario, winning the Battle of Waterloo, Metro Pace and OSS Super Final, and sharing Canadian Horse of the Year honours with Tell All. He was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2009 and the U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2015.

“At the time it gave me quite a bit of confidence,” MacDonell said of Somebeachsomewhere’s dominance over his career. “When you have a horse of that power it gives you confidence. It made my job a heck of a lot easier.”

In his second career as a stallion at Hanover Shoe Farms, Somebeachsomewhere proved just as prolific as he had been on the racetrack. Then executive vice president of Hanover Shoe Farms, Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky called him the “greatest Standardbred stallion ever” in a 2022 CBC piece profiling his final son, $1,189,416-winner Beach Glass.

Prior to his death in 2018, Somebeachsomewhere sired 1,106 foals, with 90 per cent of them racing and over half earning more than $100,000. Thirty of his offspring earned over $1 million, and his total progeny earnings currently stand at $212 million.

Here’s a look at the top 10 horses in the 50-year history of the OSS, as selected by poll participants:

1) Somebeachsomewhere
2) Bulldog Hanover
3) Peaceful Way
4) Bee A Magician
5) San Pail
6) Goodtimes
7) Tattoo Artist
8) Arch Madness
9) Apaches Fame
10) Tall Dark Stranger

The Ontario Sires Stakes is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a celebratory tour at racetracks across the province. The next stop is at Georgian Downs on Sunday, Aug. 11, where fans will be able to watch exciting Grassroots and Prospect Series racing, win prizes via giveaways, with free activity books for the kids and a timeline illustrating the 50-year history of the OSS.

(Ontario Sires Stakes)