Recently retired racehorse Wheels On Fire has joined the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS), where he’ll be trained for a second career after excelling at his first.
As a racehorse, the 10-year-old pacer faced the gate 197 times. He put together an impressive summary of 51-41-29 with $1.2 million in earnings.
The Somebeachsomewhere gelding began his career as a two-year-old in 2017 and retired in September 2025. His most lucrative year was 2022, as a seven-year-old, when he won more than $316,000 racing primarily in the Preferred and Open classes at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The previous season, he won the O’Brien Award as Canada’s top older male pacer of the year.
"He has been a great horse to have as well as a fan favourite for many years," owner Brad Grant told Trot Insider when announcing the retirement of Wheels On Fire last week. "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."
Wheels On Fire’s dam, Ab Fab, is a sister to three millionaire performers – Ashlees Big Guy, Betterthancheddar and Courtly Choice. She is also a sister to the dam of the fastest harness horse of all time, Bulldog Hanover.
OSAS stated that it is honoured to assist this talented performer as he transitions into life away from the racetrack.
(With files from OSAS)