Stormaway Euthanized

Stormaway.jpg
Published: July 12, 2009 01:01 am EDT

A mishap around the final turn of Saturday’s eighth race at Georgian Downs claimed the life of the hard hitting pacer Stormaway

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Stormaway and trainer/driver Dan Megens, who were trailing the field going into the final turn in Saturday’s $115,000 final of the Masters Pacing Series, got tangled up in the racebike of the horse in front of them [Along Came Polly]. Stormaway fell and dumped Megens out of the bike. Megens came away unscathed, but Stormaway suffered a catastrophic injury and was later euthanized.

The six-year-old son of Northern Luck-Nice Scooters was a homebred owned by Megens and partners Jan Van Nest of Hamilton and Peter Caetano of Ancaster, Ontario. The OSS graduate won multiple stake events over the course of his career including this year’s $283,000 Molson Pace at Western Fair Raceway.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Stormaway.

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To all those involved with "Stormy" our deepest condolences. I had a little tear in my eye when I read Dan's words of thanks. I too have lost a few dear equine friends and the hole is never truly filled. Stormaway was a true champion in every sense of the word and he will be sorely missed by horse people and patrons alike. Though he left us far before his time he gave us plenty of wonderful memories.

Sincerely
Sarah Williams and Shawn Bourgeois

Dan:
Truly sorry for the loss. Just having talked to you about your big win, it was obvious this horse meant a lot to you after all the work you did to get him back to the races in good order.
I hope when the sadness subsides, you and your partners will be able to cherish the good memories.
At least the race in London will be one that will be remembered for a long time.

Dan, I want to send my condolences to you, Jan and Peter in regard to this tragic incident. I know that Stormaway took you guys on a great ride the last couple of years. All the best and keep your chin up!

I personally want thank everyone for their heart felt wishes over the past days. Although I don't want speak in Jan or Peter's stead, I know they feel a similar gratitude. For myself I can honestly say that on that night were some of the hardest moments in my entire life. I'll never forget Stormy or the appreciation reflected in praising words so generously bestowed upon him, or the kindness and sympathies for our loss. Thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts those said and felt. In my grief I would still bargain with the devil. Thank you, Dan.

JAN,DAN&PETER, IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF TAKING PART IN HIS WONDERFUL CAREER.I WATCHED AND CHEERED FOR HIM AS A THREE YEAR OLD,NEVER SO PROUD TO BE ROOTING FOR THE HOME TEAM.THERE IS NO QUESTION AS TO HOW GREAT OF A HORSE STORM STORM WAS, EVERYWHERE HE WENT HE WAS WELL NOTICED,THOSE WHO NEW HIM LOVED HIM.HE STOOD WITH A GREAT PRESENCE AND WANTED YOU TO KNOW HE WAS THERE.ONE OF MY PROUDEST MOMENTS WAS BEING IN THE WINNERS CIRCLE HOLDING ON TO STORMAWAY IN THE MOLSON PACE.WHAT A RUSH I'VE HAD SOME GREAT MOMENTS BUT ID HAVE TO SAY THAT DAY WAS AWESOME!IM ONLY SORRY I WASNT WITH HIM IN HIS FINAL MOMENTS I TRUELY LOVED STORM .THE THREE OF YOU ARE A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ANY HORSE,STORM NEW HE WAS LOVED.MAY HE REST IN PEACE MAY THE RACING GODS SHINE DOWN ON YOU ALL! STORM YOU ARE ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!

Dan, Jan and Peter:
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss.
Stormaway had incredible heart which took you on a beautiful journey. May those memories warm your heart and guide you through the days ahead.
Sincerely Deb Berkeley and David Legere

Dan-Jan-Peter

Mickey and I were overwhelmed by the loss of Stormaway. We offer our sincere condolences for your loss. Everyone that ever was involved with a racehorse would like to have one with the heart of Stormy.

Words cannot describe how tragic this is and how sorry I am for your loss.

My sincerest condolences,
Jen Duncan

Pete W.
Dan.. I would like to wish my condolences to you the connections of Stormaway. It was a very sad thing. Glad to see you walk away and all the best.. He was quite a competitor..they don't give $700,000 away , if you are not..

JAN , PETER , DAN , AND STORMY
My heart goes out to you. The loss of Stormy will be felt for a long time. There has been plenty of good times shared together. I have to praise all of you for the way you raised , handled , and developed Stormaway to the great champion racehorse he was. Excellent work !!!! Condolences to all of you...

Dan and Jan..my thoughts are with you at this sad time..I never met Stormy, but I know how much you love your horses and I'm sure its like losing a family member..hugs to both of you..Liz Hennessy

JAN,DAN&PETER
PLEASE EXCEPT OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY
ON YOUR TERRIBLE TRAGEDY OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO YOU
GARRY&LIONEL HEFFERNAN

The Molson Pace seems to be star crossed this year. What a tragedy. Stormaway RIP

very sorry to hear about the tradgedy last night at georgian downs,our condolences go out to you for your loss.....garry and lionel heffernan.

From strictly a racefan's perspective,

I can tell you it took my breath away to watch the sad 'Stormaway' incident last night at Georgian...the worst kind of racing luck...the worst kind of tragedy.

Stormaway...
a real gamer, and absolutely courageous in every way.

to Dan Megens and owner partners,
Godspeed and healing.

jctoronto

Dan, I am so sorry to hear about your loss last night. Everyone connected with horse racing will miss watching Stormaway race especially after winning the Molson Pace.

Janice, Dan & Peter

Stormy is a star that will never fade. He had an amazing career and we are deeply saddened by this loss.
Please accept our deepest sympathy at this time.

Jenn & Darren Bishop

Dan,

I do not know you but I feel your pain. I've been in the industry for 11 years as an owner and have seen Stormaway race many times and wish I had a horse so gutsy. Keep her head up high and remember all the great races he had. Time will heal your pain.

Ben

Jan Dan and Peter
I wasnt able to watch the race but John Evans informed me of your tragic loss.
I am speaking for Ponytrail Stables in sending our deepest sympathy for
the loss of Stormy. I made many trips to see him at the barn. John is Heart-broken !
Will visit you next week. Regards Ken

So sorry to hear the bad news Dan. I know how much you care about your horses.
My thoughts are with you..

Jeff Nowoselsky

Stormaway was everything that was right about horse racing. A great Canadian racing family and a group of owners that were part of Stormaway's life back to his mother Nice Scooters. A homebred that challenged some of the best in the sport is rare today. I know how much he meant to everyone. My sympathies to all. I know it is nothing in comparison but I am going to be a little bit sadder not looking forward to his next challenge

My condolescences

Jan, Dan and Peter

It is with heavy hearts we awake this morning wishing last night was just a bad dream. We send our condolences. We will miss Stormy too. We will treasure our picture and our memories with him. He was a winner!

Laura and Bill McLean

Dan,Jan and Peter. Our deepest sympathies, we know how much you loved him and poured your hearts into him. You and the harness racing world have lost a great competitor. Tears heal.
Kathie and Eric Lock

Darryl MacArthur

Dan, my condolences for your loss. I an so very sorry that you and all those connected with Stormaway are faced with this challenging time. He was such a gritty competitor and any of us would have been proud to have him in our stable.

Darryl MacArthur

Dan, My Deepest, sincerest sympathies, I last saw you a year ago in Hamilton at the Dillon concert, we talked when he was to qualify.
RIP, May God be with you Dan, Stormaway, family and owners and Fans.

Please take time to heal,rest and bereave.

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