Corn Cob Conch Euthanized

Outstanding trotter Corn Cob Conch (5,1:53.2s [$1,018,606]) was euthanized Monday (Nov. 9) at the age of 26. A winner of more than a million dollars during his long career, 'Corn Cob' had developed a number of health issues that led to the difficult decision to not put him through another winter.

Bred by the late Peter Heffering of Tara Hills Stud, Corn Cob was purchased as a yearling by trainer Mike Wade at the Royal Blue Sale for $12,500. Wade owned him throughout his career along with Lori Ferguson, Richard Gibbard and Dave MacKay.

The horse tested Mike’s patience during his early training days, but he always knew Corn Cob was talented and persevered and it paid off. In total, the gelding made 160 career starts with a summary of 33-27-20 for $1,018,66 in earnings. Corn Cob was primarily driven by Mike Saftic, who was very loyal to the horse throughout his career. Stakes victories for the talented trotter included the 2001 Frank Ryan at Rideau Carleton Raceway, the Horsemens Stake final that same year and a leg of the General Brock. Corn Cob was wonderfully cared for throughout his career by Dunc Brock.

Corn Cob Conch (3), pictured breaking his maiden at Kawartha Downs in August of 1997.

Corn Cob competed in the prestigious Maple Leaf Trot in three different years, with his best finish being at Woodbine in 1999 when he finished a neck behind the great Goodtimes in a then track and stakes record of 1:53.2, which was also Goodtimes’ life record. Corn Cob and Goodtimes would compete against each other for several seasons and would often truck to the track together. The week after that record Maple Leaf final, Corn Cob would capture a Free For All event at Woodbine, matching the track record. It was one of many FFA victories for him that season which would see him the runner up to Goodtimes in the O’Brien Award voting that year.

Corn Cob was retired in early 2004 and lived at MacKay’s farm near Little Britain for several years. When that property was sold, Corn Cob and his pasture mate, Silly Rabbit, moved to the farm of Dave’s daughter, Ellen, and her husband, Rob Jacome. Corn Cob was visited by many of his owners and admirers before he was buried at that picturesque property today.

Please join Standardbred Canada to the connections of Corn Cob Conch.

(Heather MacKay)