Tuesday’s program at The Raceway at Western Fair in London was marred by tragedy in the afternoon’s fourth race when 14-year-old Eldorado Max collapsed just after the finish and passed away
.
The local fan favourite was scheduled to make his final career appearance in the ‘Old’ Lange Syne Trot on New Years Eve at The Raceway.
The Raceway television crew had just paid a visit to Eldorado Max at the farm just days ago. His longtime owner/trainer Dan Creighton commented that the trotter’s love of competition was what made him so good for so long.
“This is a very sad turn of events and we want to send out our condolences to the connections of ‘Max’ who gave everyone so many wonderful memories,” said The Raceway’s General Manager, Ian Fleming. “He gave everything he had every time he faced that starting gate and he will certainly be missed.”
Eldorado Max ended his remarkable harness racing career with 46 wins while amassing $512,184 in purse earnings.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Eldorado Max.
(Western Fair)
See you in Equine Heaven
See you in Equine Heaven Max. Trot forever on....You were one of the great warriors! Condolences to Dan Creighton and all of Max's caregivers and connections...
RIP to a wonderful and
RIP to a wonderful and beautiful horse. :( So sad. Goodbye Max.
Very saddened to hear of
Very saddened to hear of Max's passing here in Ohio. I had the pleasure of watching him race while in Ontario and he was one of the toughest old guys that I had ever seen.
Just terrible news to hear.
sorry to hear about Max i
sorry to hear about Max i used to jog him when he was turned out at Randy Kerrs barn in windsor. very nice horse but a little hard to hang on to when he got rolling got along good with him though = sorry
Dan Creighton runs a
Dan Creighton runs a succesful and competitive stable, and I know it is all business. But I know Max meant more to Dan than any other horse he campaigned.
RIP Max, and thanks for the great memories. A friend and fan.
Ted
After 196 lifetime starts,
After 196 lifetime starts, don't you think enough was enough? Was it really necessary to race until the END of his 14-year-old season? Had there not been a retirement age, was the plan to keep racing him forever? Just because you CAN race does not mean you SHOULD.
I know the response...he loved to race...he was feeling great, sound as a dollar, etc. etc. He's a 14YO gelding for goodness sake!
He only ONCE had more than 24 starts in a single season (back in 2002!) and in 3 different years had 2, 3 and 5 starts.
Jamie
I watched the races that day
I watched the races that day in my hometown Fredericton, NB. Eldorado ran a tough race as he always did when I watched him go. We have lost a champion and the people close to Eldorado have lost a good friend.
My condolences to the
My condolences to the connections of Eldorado Max on his sudden passing. It is always sad to hear of the passing of a horse, even more so in circumstances like these, with a horse to whom so many felt such a connection.
Deepest condolences on the
Deepest condolences on the loss of "Max". It is obvious by some of the posts here that he was a very professional racehorse that made many people happy. So sorry.
Sorry for your loss he was a
Sorry for your loss he was a GREAT Racehorse
Wayne Preszcator
Also thinking of You at your time of such a loss.
Joe Ruppel & Lynne Ketchabaw
Eldorado Max may you roam
Eldorado Max may you roam free among the heavens with all your other friends. To the connections of Max you have my sympathies.
Marie Stoyles-Moura
My condolences to Max. No,
My condolences to Max. No, Gord Young, I don't think this is the way Max would have wanted to go.
This is a sad day for
This is a sad day for harness racing, R.I.P Max
This is so sad. I was one
This is so sad.
I was one of the lucky ones who got to experience the true heart & dogged determination that Max gave each & every time he raced. It is heart wrenching to know he was days away from his well deserved retirement & I know Dan would have given Max the best life long retirement that a champ could have.
My condolences to Dan & all those connected.
Trevor
My condolences to all of the
My condolences to all of the connections on the loss of Eldorado Max - rest in peace.
A true warrior, RIP to Max &
A true warrior, RIP to Max & to all the connections, our thoughts are with you. Bill & Tracey
Today, our industry suffered
Today, our industry suffered a tragic loss. Last week I had the pleasure of jogging this game old campaigner. To him it was old hat, to me, my first time behind a race horse. He certainly took advantage of the situation and took me for quite a ride, despite my screams, which I'm sure could be heard throughout South Western Ontario (LOL). He was all class, heart and what any layman would describe as a model racehorse. To Dan and all the connections involved, my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies. The Raceway at the Western Fair District will honor "Max" on New Year's Eve, as the Senior's Trot will be the "Eldorado Max Memorial Trot". He is gone, but will not be forgotten.
Thanks for the ride "Max"
Sarah
This is the way Max would
This is the way Max would have wanted to go . . . R I P Max
For him to get so close to
For him to get so close to retirement after so many years of competitive racing and to go at only 14 years of age is truly sad. My condolences to everyone connected to Eldorado Max.
Watching that happen this
Watching that happen this afternoon was like a punch in the stomach. Got a chance to spend the day with him last week and even sit behind him for a few laps. What a pleasure it was!
Just a great campaigner who will certainly be missed. Condolences to all the connections.
RIP