Trot Insider has learned that Blue Burner, one of Alberta’s leading pacing sires, passed away Friday at Connie Kolthammer’s Outlaw Farms in Falun, Alberta.
“He was fine the night before and I found him the next morning out in the middle of the field,” said Kolthammer. “All I can assume is something ruptured. It wasn’t a colic or anything like that because he showed no signs of rolling in the snow or anything like that.”
The 16-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear-Village Blues, who retired from racing with 16 wins, purse earnings in excess of $330,000 and a race record of 1:49.4, was regarded by many as one of that province’s leading sires.
“He did a really good job for us,” added Kolthammer. “He had a limited number of mares because we did live cover. We weren’t set up for shipping semen and getting a big band of mares to him in the first place.”
Despite being limited to breeding a smaller group of broodmares, Blue Burner had plenty of success stories.
“He produced the Horse of the Year in Outlaw Fireball (1:55.1 - $326,073) and every year he showed up with stake horses here in Alberta,” added Kolthammer. “Mateo (1:52.2 - $301,048) really was outstanding for him by getting national attention. For this pond, he was a big fish. He’s definitely going to be greatly missed here at the farm because he was a nice horse to handle. He fit every bill that we wanted and he produced very well for us.”
Outlaw Fireball, winning at Century Downs
Blue Burner’s passing not only leaves an enormous void on the farm, but he’ll be greatly missed in the Alberta breeding program.
“It’s a huge hit for here,” said an emotional Kolthammer. “I’m still kind of swimming trying to figure out what I’m going to do. Timing was everything and I don’t really have time to recover or look for anything. I just don’t know how you replace him.”
From the 147 horses Blue Burner sired, 97 managed to make it to the races. He had 79 winners from those 97 that made it to the races, and included in the 79 winners were 13 horses that banked in excess of $100,000. His offspring racked up more than $5 million in purses earned to date.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Blue Burner.
This is so sad. I recall when
This is so sad. I recall when he raced, at Woodbine and Meadowlands, he was an outstanding pacer. RIP BLUE BURNER. May your spirit run free in heaven.
RIP to this wonderful horse,
RIP to this wonderful horse, and condolences to his connections.
Sorry to hear. Liked his
Sorry to hear. Liked his foals.
Oh Connie, so sorry to hear
Oh Connie, so sorry to hear this