Winbak Farm has announced the passing of 2009 USHWA Trotting Broodmare of the Year, Yankee Blondie, at the age of 26. The dam of Muscle Hill was euthanized on Wednesday, April 6 due to complications from colic.
“We are heartbroken over the loss of Yankee Blondie,” said Jack Burke, General Manager. “She may have lived until the age of 26 but her death still seems unexpected because she was in great shape for her golden years.”
The daughter of American Winner was a half-sister to T V Yankee, 2, 1:56 ($572,024) and Yankee Yankee, 2, 2:00.2q ($272,638).
“We are proud to have been the owners of a mare as great as Yankee Blondie,” said Joe Thomson, Winbak Farm owner. “We were privileged to be able to raise and sell her offspring.”
“We will always cherish the memories of Yankee Blondie’s son Muscle Hill and the thrills that he brought us,” said Burke. “Muscle Hill winning the Hambletonian is still one of my favourite victories by a Winbak graduate.”
Yankee Blondie was best known for being the dam of 2009 USHWA and O’Brien Horse of the Year, Muscle Hill, 2, 1:53.3; 3, 1:50.1 ($3,318,682). Muscle Hill was the USHWA Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year. He was also the Dan Patch and O’Brien Three-Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year. Muscle Hill was a world champion and winner of 20 races. At two, Muscle Hill won the Breeders Crown elimination and final, Peter Haughton elimination and final, New Jersey Sire Stakes final, Bluegrass Stakes, International Stallion Stakes and Simpson Stakes. At three, he won the Hambletonian elimination and final, Canadian Trotting Classic elimination and final, Breeders Crown final, World Trotting Derby, Kentucky Futurity elimination and final, American-National Stakes, Stanley Dancer Memorial, and a New Jersey Sire Stakes leg and final.
Muscle Hill was inducted into Harness Racing’s Hall of Fame in 2016. He is the sire of offspring that have earned $85,344,986.
“Muscle Hill was one of the best trotters to ever look through a bridle,” said Burke. “As a sire, his impact on the breed is unmeasurable and it all started with Yankee Blondie producing a world champion.”
Yankee Blondie was also the dam of Diesel Don, 2, 1:56.4; 3, 1:55.3 ($247,117). At two, Diesel Don won the American-National Stakes and Valley Victory Stakes elimination and final.
Her last foal, All Star Yankee, is now two. He is in training with the Blake Macintosh Stable.
Yankee Blondie’s legacy will continue to impact Winbak Farm’s broodmare band.
“Winbak Farm is the proud owner of Yankee Blondie’s daughter, Mets Rival, and granddaughters, Commando Queen and Mets Inn,” said Burke. “Commando Queen is the second dam of millionaire Gimpanzee and Mets Inn is the dam of millionaire Mets Hall.”
Yankee Blondie will be fondly remembered by the Winbak Farm team.
“Yankee Blondie will be missed,” said Burke. “She was a truly special horse and we will be forever grateful for her and the impact she had on our farm.”
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Yankee Blondie.
(With files from Winbak Farm)