Wheels On Fire, the 2021 O'Brien Award winner as Canada's Older Male Pacer of the Year, has been retired.
Now 10, the millionaire son of Somebeachsomewhere - Ab Fab accumulated a sensational summary of 51-41-29 from his 197 starts — many of those at the top class at Woodbine Mohawk Park at the start of the decade for Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame owner, Brad Grant.
"I have decided to retire Wheels On Fire," said Grant. "Although he is still a competitive player, there comes a time when you have to think of the horse and his well being and that is what we are doing. He has been a great horse to have as well as a fan favourite for many years. He retires with over $1.2 million on his card as well as an O’Brien as Aged Pacer of the Year in 2021 to his credit."
Grant offered special thanks to trainer Richard Moreau and his team for keeping Wheels On Fire "at the top of his game and for nursing him back to the races from what we thought was a career ending spill in the [2023] Canadian Pacing Derby.
"Also, thanks to Gregg McNair and his team for all their hard work to keep him competitive these past 14 months. Special thanks to Doug McNair, who has been Wheels' main driver since I purchased him, as both horse and driver gave us and his fans many exciting moments."
In his award-winning season, Wheels On Fire posted 22 top-three finishes from 26 races and earned more than $282,000. Seven of his 12 victories came in Preferred events at Woodbine Mohawk Park with a pair at The Meadowlands. He also paced back to his 1:48.1 lifetime mark, originally taken at The Big M as a four-year-old. In advance of his O'Brien Award honour, Grant noted that Wheels On Fire was a horse with a "big heart and showed up to race every night."
"I think his record speaks for itself," said Grant. "Twenty-seven starts, 27 times in the money; I think he was only worse than fourth twice. He won almost $300,000, consistently racing against the best up here."
(Standardbred Canada)