It is with great sadness that Seelster Farms, along with owners, Bob McIntosh, Al McIntosh and New Destiny Stables announce the passing of Camluck.
The 28-year-old stallion stood at Seelster Farms for 23 years before being retired from active duty in October of 2014.
Camluck (Cam Fella – Lucky Lady) p, 3, 1:52.4f; T1:48.4 ($1,003,260) left an indelible mark on the Standardbred breed. The son of legendary Cam Fella became one of the fastest horses of his generation by virtue of his 1:48.4 time trial effort in 1992 at Lexington’s The Red Mile. Over the course of his brilliant racing career, he earned more than $1 million while facing one of the very best older pacing crops of all-time that included the likes of Artsplace, Staying Together (his stablemates from the Bob McIntosh stable), Cambest, Silver Almahurst and Odds Against, just to name a few.
Camluck was voted the O'Brien Award winner for Pacing Horse of the Year at age four. His major stakes victories include the Breeders Crown and the Provincial Cup.
However, it was in the breeding shed, where Camluck made his greatest impact and stamped himself as one of the greatest pacing stallions in harness racing history. He retired recently with overall offspring earnings of a staggering $221,303,634, more than any other stallion in North America. Camluck’s offspring have averaged over $118,092 per starter and he produced 28 millionaires, including Burning Point p, 3, 1:50.3s, 1:49.2 ($3,120,089), Dreamfair Eternal p, 3, 1:55.3h, 1:49f ($2,545,060), Invitro p, 2, 1:53s, 4, 1:50s ($2,383,597), Chancey Lady p, 2, 1:52s, 3, 1:50.3f, 1:48.4f ($2,083,514), Mystician p, 2, 1:52s, 3, 1:49.2s ($1,919,762), Michaels Power p, 3, 1:48.1s ($1,637,655), just to name a few.
Camluck has also made his mark as a prolific broodmare sire, with his daughters producing the likes of I Luv The Nitelife p, 2, 1:50.1s, 3, 1:48.4f ($1,947,511), American Jewel p, 2, 1:50.2s, 3, 1:48.2s($1,834,823), Aracache Hanover p, 2, 1:53.1s, 3, 1:50.1f, 1:48.1f ($1,717,785), Thinking Out Loud p, 2, 1:52.4s, 3, 1:47.4s, 4, 1:47.2 ($1,953,217), Deuce Seelster p, 2, 1:52s, 3, 1:50.3s, 1:49.4($1,149,825), Kindly Poet p, 3, 1:51s, 1:49.4s ($1,014,690), etc.
On multiple occasions, Camluck has been the leading money winning sire of all age pacers in North America.
Camluck was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2008 he was the first Canadian horse inducted into the United States Living Hall of Fame. Just a few months ago in May, Camluck was inducted into The Raceway at Western Fair District’s Wall of Fame in London, Ontario.
"It has been a great experience to work with Chris VanBussel and now the third generation of the VanBussel family, for all of these years," said Bob McIntosh on behalf of the owners of Camluck. "I'm proud of the job that Seelster Farms has done with Camluck and the contribution Camluck made to the breeding industry. Not just in Ontario, but his sons and daughters can be considered amongst the best in the world."
“The legacy of Camluck will live on for generations to come in the offspring he continues to influence with his determination and intelligence,” said Ann Straatman for Seelster Farms. “What the pedigree pages cannot say is what a privilege it has been to care for Camluck all of these years and how much we will miss our friend.”
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Camluck.
(with files from Seelster Farms)
When I was training in
When I was training in Canada, I only owned and trained one Camluck mare. I regret that I didn't own and train more of them. My deepest condolences to the connections of Camluck. He was not only a great horse on the race track but more so in the breeding shed...... a great loss to the Standardbred breeding industry. May he rest in peace.
Our condolences to the owners
Our condolences to the owners and caretakers of this great horse. What a sad day for our sport to lose such a champion but he will live on in the wonderful horses he has produced and the memories he has left.
We would like to extend our
We would like to extend our condolences to all who have been involved with Camluck. Owning Illusionist and watching her race and have foals, we have been lucky to witness some of the grit and character of her sire. Camluck will be missed but lives on in his offspring. Dave and Renata Lumsden
What a great horse and
What a great horse and wonderful career. I bred Northern luck in his first crop and owned many by him through the years. He usually moved his mares up and passed on the trifecta of speed, gait and desire. He was owned and managed with integrity by some of the best people in our business. My condolences.
Brian Webster
RIP to a Great Horse and
RIP to a Great Horse and Marvelous Sire. His name will live on for a very long time.
In sorrow, we mourn those
In sorrow, we mourn those lost. In gratitude, we embrace those around us. In sympathy, we reach out to those who grieve. In memory, we remember his greatness and all he has given our sport. Rest In Peace Camluck…….
Sarah & Korbin