Another iron horse, Stonebridge Scout, has entered the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s program. The Western Maverick gelding retired at the mandatory age of 14 late last year. Stonebridge Scout was a fan favourite at his home track of Western Fair Raceway, which honoured him with a retirement ceremony in early January.
Bred by Angie Stiller’s Stonebridge Farm of Arva, Ont., Scout was owned for most of his 15 years by Gladys McCarty of London, Ont. He was trained from the start of his career at age three, until his 13th year in 2021 by Andy Hardy. Robert Mawson took over the conditioning responsibilities for Scout’s last year of racing in 2022.
Never a superstar, Stonebridge Scout was a tough grinder who rarely missed a cheque while racing on the Southwestern Ontario circuit. In total, he faced the gate a remarkable 342 times for $196,647 in earnings. His life record of 1:55.2 came at the age eight at Hiawatha Horse Park.
A striking horse with a large white blaze, Stonebridge Scout’s dam, the Camluck mare Dress To Thrill, is a full sister to $998,309 winner Make It Brief, In Commando, a winner of more than $718,000 to date and still racing at The Meadows and the dam of $1.4 million winner Dapper Dude.
Scout will be given some time to get used to life away from the racetrack before he starts his training for his second career as a riding horse.
(OSAS)