The connections of Acme Dynamite have reported that the former Newfoundland Horse of the Year recently passed away at the age of 29 years old.

"It has taken us some time, and many tears, to find the words to tell just how much he meant to us," owner Stephanie Forward of Goulds, Nfld. told Trot Insider. "On Monday evening, Sept. 1, we said goodbye to a piece of our family -- our beloved Acme Dynamite. To say we are shattered is an understatement; when his heart stopped, a part of ours went with him. Though we wished he could have stayed with us forever, we know how incredibly lucky we were to share so many years with him."

Bred by Fox Valley Standardbreds and foaled in Sherman, Illinois, Acme Dynamite found his home in Newfoundland with the Forward family -- including Stephanie's parents Scott & Jodi and her brother Shane -- by way of a start in Ontario during his three-year-old season in 2000. Stephanie's uncle, Brad Forward, was in Ontario racing and said he found the perfect horse for her. Acme Dynamite then joined the Forward family in Newfoundland that spring. From there, he made history, winning Newfoundland Horse of the Year in 2001, 2002 and 2003, and was runner-up for three years. Those accomplishments also contributed to Scott Forward’s Trainer of the Year awards.

Acme Dynamite, who raced primarily in Newfoundland at Twin River Downs and St. John's Racing & Entertainment Centre, earned 52 career wins with 59 seconds and 39 thirds in 297 starts. The Incredible Finale-Trufflemaker gelding was retired from racing in 2010 at the age of 14 to live out the rest of his life with the Forward family.

"Over the course of 26 unforgettable years, 'Acme' brought us endless pride, joy and memories," said Stephanie. "He was forced to retire at age 14 due to the rules of racing, leaving behind an incredible career and an even greater legacy."

Though he came to Newfoundland for Steph to own and love and her father Scott to train and race, Acme Dynamite also quickly captured Scott and Jodi’s heart in the barn and Shane’s on the track. He taught Shane how to race and helped shape him into the harness driver he was. But 'Acme' was so much more than a racehorse -- he instantly became the family favourite.

"In retirement, 'Acme' was cherished and spoiled beyond measure," said Stephanie. "He lived a life filled with comfort, routine and love. Whether it was his countless blanket changes, his 1 p.m. routine of coming inside for lunch (as he would never pee outside), or his endless carrots, apples, hay cubes, and even his warm 'tea' from the blue bucket -- he was treated like royalty. Jodi really had him bubbled wrapped and gave him top notch care. Our barn friends were always there to help care for him over the years, from bringing him inside out of the cold/heat, to feeding him his warm hay cubes, to simply checking on him.

"'Acme' had a heart murmur and his heart was also giving out on him -- we say it was because it burst with so much love! 'Acme' was truly one of a kind. In our eyes, there doesn’t get any better than him.

"It was the absolute hardest goodbye... even after all these years, it still wasn’t long enough. We do take comfort in knowing he was surrounded by his whole family as he took his final breaths."

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Erin Ramsay for the patience, love and care provided in his senior years.

Grateful for for every memory, every walk, every jog, every race and every ounce of love he gave them, the Forward family will miss their cherished Standardbred forever.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Acme Dynamite.

(Standardbred Canada)