The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society has helped hundreds of retired harness horses find ‘forever homes’ during its 21 years, but Santo Domingo represents a first.
The now-10-year-old trotter, who was placed with OSAS a few weeks ago, is OSAS’s first Standardbred to have won on the trot both pulling a sulky and under saddle in the Racing Under Saddle program. In 2015, Santo Domingo won RUS races at both Flamboro and Mohawk by more than four lengths each.
He covered Flamboro’s half-mile oval in 1:59.3 and Mohawk’s seven-eighths in 1:56.4. He has the distinction of those being the fastest miles thus far in the Ontario RUS races.
Santo Domingo faced the gate a total of 203 times in his career. He was a consistent performer from ages three through nine, as he won approximately $50,000 each season. He retires with 25 lifetime wins, $295,177 in earnings and a mark of 1:54.3s taken at Mohawk as a seven-year-old.
“He’s just getting settled in,” said OSAS Administrator Joanne Colville. “He’s a classy WEG horse who also happened to be a multiple winner racing under saddle, as well. My daughter, Emma, had him under saddle just after he got here.
“We’ll do some more light work with him before he’ll be added to the list of horses available for adoption. Trust me, with his skills, and how pretty he is, he won’t last long.”
For further information about Santo Domingo or any of the other horses in the program, please contact Joanne via email at [email protected] or visit the website (osas.ca).
(OSAS)
Santo Domingo brought so much
Santo Domingo brought so much joy and fun in the 4 1/5 years that we had him in our stable.
Thanks to Fraser for getting the ball rolling on RUS
Thanks to Clint for being the best assistant trainer ever.
A big shout out to Sarah Town who came out to ride and work with him to get him ready for RUS and he loved it from the get go.
Marit Valstad for being a great rider and for really caring about him.
The owners Peter Danny and Lawrence for taking a chance for RUS.
But the biggest shout out is to Mike Guitard for being the awesome trainer and keeping Santo Domingo racing fit for sulky and RUS.
My boy Santo will make some family very happy.