Thirty Gs, who recorded sub-1:55 miles in 10 consecutive years in a racing career that spanned 1992-2002, passed away on Thursday, December 8 at the Lebanon, Kentucky farm of his owner-trainer, Jack Gray Jr. He was 26.

A son of Nihilator out of the Shadow Wave mare Savilla Almahurst, Thirty Gs made 215 starts over his career, posting 58 wins, 34 seconds and 20 thirds, with earnings of $346,369. Fourteen of his wins came at the Red Mile, including his career-best effort of 1:51.3, which was recorded in 1997 while capturing a late-closer with Walter Haynes Jr. driving.

Gray said Thirty Gs' most memorable victory came in a late-closer at the Red Mile in 2001 when he closed from 11th at the three-quarters to win in 1:53.2 with Jim Robinson driving. The $6,000 winner's cheque equalled his biggest cheque ever.

"He was around and lasted a long time, but the race that sticks out in my mind was when I put him in a late-closer at Lexington when he was 11 years old and he beat the younger horses," remembered Gray.

At three in 1993, Thirty Gs won a race at the Red Mile in 1:53.3, and over the next nine years he also posted an annual mark of 1:55 or better. At the time of his retirement in 2002, Thirty Gs was the only horse to ever post sub-1:55 miles for 10 consecutive years.

Savilla Almahurst was sold while in foal by breeder Almahurst Bloodstock to Storm Haven Farm. The resulting foal, a colt named Hi Ho Savilla, was purchased as a yearling for $27,000 by Lynn Jones, Bill Brewer and Tim Tevis. The new owners then re-named the colt Thirty Gs.

Chip Noble trained Thirty Gs as a two-year-old, after which he was consigned to the fall Tattersalls Mixed Sale, where he was purchased by Gray's father-in-law, Everett Worley, for $42,000.

"The bidding started at $15,000 and Mr. Worley was in it all the way," Gray noted in a 2002 story in Hoof Beats magazine. "I even asked him to quit at one stage, but he stayed in…It was so exciting, because I hadn't expected to get this colt."

Gray later bought into Thirty Gs and has been the sole owner since 1996. Gray also drove Thirty Gs several times, including in a Kentucky Sires Stakes victory in 2003 at Riverside Downs. Thirty Gs also set several track marks along the way, including a 1:51.4f effort in 1995 at Scioto Downs that set a new standard for older pacers.

Upon his retirement from racing, Thirty Gs bred a limited number of mares over the years through 2008. His best performer is Letcher p,3,1:52.4s ($320,868).

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Thirty Gs.

(Harnessracing.com)