One of this millennium's most beloved racehorses will receive what many feel is a long overdue honour when Admirals Express is inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame on Thursday, August 15.
Admirals Express captured the hearts of Canadian harness racing fans during a career that spanned over a decade. The son of Admirals Galley, known as the ‘Grey Gladiator’, won 86 races in 353 starts, and earned more than $2.1 million. He earned a pair of O’Brien Awards in 2005 when he was named Canada’s Older Pacing Horse of the Year and Horse of the Year.
‘The Admiral’ was owned by Ed Sayfie of Rockford, Michigan and Gary and Laurel Gust of Cedar Springs, Michigan, trained by Mike Hales and primarily driven by Paul MacDonell.
"He was sheer guts, he really was. Every week, week in and week out, he came to play," MacDonell told Trot Radio's Norm Borg. "He fits that mould of the iron horse."
To listen to the full audio feature, click the play button below.
Trot Radio - Episode 301 - Paul MacDonell on 2013 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Inductee Admirals Express
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg
World Class racing greats Niatross and Secretariat headline the field of 13 new Hall of Fame inductees under new rules that allow international competitors into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
There will be a total of three horses and three people representing Standardbreds, along with three horses and four people from the Thoroughbred ranks entering Canada's Hall in August 2013. The Induction Ceremony will be hosted this Thursday at the Mississauga Convention Centre on Thursday, August 15, 2013.
(Photo: New Image Media)
Always loved this horse. One
Always loved this horse.
One of the few consistent performs regardless of conditions, post or class.
He was the true "Warhorse".
He was the true "Warhorse". Even after the "Hall of Fame". I hope we never stop hearing about him. He was, as" Winston Churchill' said, "something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." Knowing the "Grey Gladiator" sure worked for me !!!!! P.S. His memories have me crying again.
Whether you call him The
Whether you call him The Admiral, Admirals Express or Grey Gladiator - it's wonderful that he is going into the hall of fame. He was an amazing horse to watch race week after week. I had the wonderful privledge of meeting him after his racing career while he was promoting standardbred adoption & life after racing. He was as impressive up close and personal as he was watching on the track. He is missed by all who love him
Admiral so richly deserves
Admiral so richly deserves this award. Watching the races is not the same without him. I'm sure many fans feel the same as I do. His memory will always live on.
Finally, the "Grey Gladiator"
Finally, the "Grey Gladiator" as Frank Salive so aptly called him, gets the recognition that he so rightly deserves. His memory lives on.
Admirals Express ! So happy
Admirals Express ! So happy to see such a beautiful horse being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Great racehorse overall and a complete pleasure to watch. Robert Hemsworth