MacGrath Talks Super Final, Breeding
Over the past two years, Brent MacGrath has received the ride of a lifetime with his Mach Three superstar Somebeachsomewhere. Though he is eternally grateful for the blessing, he has made some interesting comments regarding 2007-08 with 'The Beach.'
“To tell you the truth, I’m glad the season is coming to an end, although we’re not glad to be getting rid of him," MacGrath said while in discussion with the WEG media department. "It’s been an unbelievable season, the ride of a lifetime, but it has also been a long year of living out of a suitcase and it will be nice to get back to some kind of normal life.
“Somebeachsomewhere will be heading to Hanover Shoe Farms to begin his stallion career, the day after the Breeders Crown, and we’ll be heading home to Nova Scotia.”
First focusing on the task at hand, The Beach will be highlighting Saturday's rich Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final card at Woodbine Racetrack. Eight $300,000 dashes will put the province's best on display. The event will mark The Beach's last start on Canadian soil. The Beach has drawn Post 3 in Race 7 (9:38 p.m.).
According to MacGrath, all systems are a 'go' for The Beach.
"[Somebeachsomewhere] is very sharp. The weatherman says we won’t be going for any records, but he has a nice post and I don’t have any reason to believe right now that he won’t deliver his usual amazing performance.”
Though the Super Final has the potential of being yet another crowning moment for the World Record holder, MacGrath said that the end of the ride will sink in when the Breeders Crown is upon the Schooner Stable. “This Saturday won’t feel quite as odd as his final start on the 29th (of November, the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands)."
The Schooner partners will retain an interest in Somebeachsomewhere, whose stud fee has been set at $20,000 (U.S.), but MacGrath hasn’t invested in any broodmares to send to his legendary colt. “I’d rather just take my pick of the babies when they’re on the ground,” he said. “The young horses are my thing, the two and three-year-olds. We’re really looking forward to his babies. I think his mark in the breeding shed will be as great as it has been on the track.”
MacGrath and driver Paul MacDonell, who has piloted Somebeachsomewhere throughout his two and three-year-old campaigns, will be signing autographs on Saturday night from 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., on the north side of the second floor of the Woodbine grandstand (near the food court). The first 250 fans to attend the autograph session will receive a free Somebeachsomewhere poster.
Click here to view Woodbine's Saturday entries.
(With files from WEG)
The Beach is an exceptional
The Beach is an exceptional horse and shows all Standardbred Industry that the Maritimes are right up there with the top horesman in the world. Also shadow Play deserves honourable mention, winner of the Little Brown Jug.
The beach is horse of the
The beach is horse of the year.
Dewey was beat soundly in Ontario.
You know how the Americans will vote.
As a New Yorker, it was an
As a New Yorker, it was an honor to watch this horse race and my compliments to Brent McGrath on his expert handling of this incredible animal. The greatest compliment will come early next year when the vote is announced for Horse of the Year since it will be a monumental decision to choose between him and Dewey.
I would love to see a computer simulated match race between the Beach and Niatross - it would be electrifying.
I WAS IN THE HARNESS RACING
I WAS IN THE HARNESS RACING INDUSTRY BETWEEN 1980 & 1990 IN NEW BRUNSWICK & NEVER REALLY HAD A LOT OF LUCK IN THE SPORT BUT WATCHING THAT SUPER HORSE FROM TRURO PERFORM TRULY MAKES ME BELIVE THAT MIRACLES CAN TRULY HAPPEN TO ANY ONE IN THE SPORT. SO ALL I CAN SAY NOW IS GOOD LUCK SBSW & REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR SONS & DAUGHTERS ON THE TRACKS SOMEWHERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
Cam Fella was the grittiest
Cam Fella was the grittiest I ever saw race, that is until the Beach came along. After watching his win in the Messenger I now rate him right there with Cam Fella. Hats off to McGrath for a well planned racing schedule this season. I can fully understand why they are not going to race him at 4, but I selfishly wish they would. Looking forward to a young Beach following in daddy's foot steps in the not so distant future.
In reply to Cam Fella was the grittiest by Anonymous (not verified)
I agree with your comments
I agree with your comments regardings the Beach's trip in the Messenger. Twice he touched wheels, once with Santana and had to veer wide and in the stretch drive with Shadow Play( where he definitely pulled up a bit) I thought this was his best race and grittiest performance of all.
Great horse! It's a shame he
Great horse!
It's a shame he won't be around next year to take on the Down-Under Phenom,Auckland Reactor.Especially once he is acclimated to North American racing.
SBSW is going to stud TOO
SBSW is going to stud TOO EARLY. It would have been great for harness racing to see him crush Mr Big and Artistic Fella next year when they return. I always find it a thrill to watch the greatest in their profession perform, and he is without a doubt the Tiger Woods of harness racing.
I think we have entered an
I think we have entered an age where we have great horses retire to stud before they become legendary. A real opportunity missed to showcase the sport by not bringing him back. Superstar horses like the beach come along once every 20 years. The ride is way too short in an industry desperate to attract new fans.
THE "BEACH" IS THE GREATEST
THE "BEACH" IS THE GREATEST HORSE I HAVE EVER SEEN AND YOU CAN BE SURE THE BEACH PARTY ON SATURDAY NIGHT IN TRURO WILL BE WELL ATTENDED....
It's been a great ride for
It's been a great ride for the sport .. truly a remarkable animal who has a defined presence when stepping out onto the oval ... I'm thankful to see history in the making and look forward to seeing his sons and daughters perform.
The Beach gives me
The Beach gives me goosebumps everytime i watch him race. That cannot be said about many horses. Truly a special animal managed by class people. Great respect for Mr. MacGrath and his team. Surely will be a great stud. Long live the Beach.
I must tip my hat to all the
I must tip my hat to all the connections of SWSB, to keep him that good for that long is amazing. He was great every race at 2 and now again at three, and racing against very good horse. What great job to all and an amazing horse.
a great horse
a great horse somebeachsomewhere,great luck on saturday ,we,ll be watching him.
We loved "the beach" from
We loved "the beach" from his maiden breaking victory that we witnessed at Grand River Raceway in 2007 through all his outstanding miles and thrills and chills he has provided to us with we will always remember SBSW for all the great races!!! Congratulations to everyone involved with him you did an amazing job!!
Great Horse... Great Job !
Great Horse... Great Job !
Sorry, but still can't
Sorry, but still can't accept not going to the Greatest Pacing Race (The Little Brown Jug), with the Greatest Pacing Horse! Everything else BRAVO!!!!!
In reply to Sorry, but still can't by Allan Casselman (not verified)
Agreed!!!!!!!!!
Agreed!!!!!!!!!
The owners of this guy have
The owners of this guy have been absolutely great for Harness Racing. They have done a wonderful job of getting some real positive publicity for the sport. Just really classy people obviously. Not to mention the horse has delivered in spades. It took a tough trip and a world record to hand him his only loss. He's one tough hombre and I have loved following him.
Good luck in your last two starts!
In reply to The owners of this guy have by Steve Fitzsimmons (not verified)
Living out of a suitcase
Living out of a suitcase would n't bother me any (I'm sure the beach apologizes for any inconvenience). Full congratulations to the connections of "the beach" - I hope he goes 2 for 2 to close things out - a good horse is a good horse.
In reply to The owners of this guy have by Steve Fitzsimmons (not verified)
Hats off to all the
Hats off to all the connections of the Schooner Stable. I came to Ontario and saw your star perform at the North American Cup in person. I have followed him via internet and TV ever since. My brother and I just booked flights for this Saturday to come to Woodbine to see his last Canadian Race. I feel it's our last chance to see "The Greatest Standardbred Horse" my era will ever see.
Thanks a Million