SHARTAN TO THE BROODMARE PADDOCK

[Davis]

Shartin retired, now set for broodmare paddock

21 December 2020 , News

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

2019 United States Horse of the Year Shartin has been retired and will be bred to Captaintreacherousnext year and then two-time New Zealand Cup winner Lazarus in 2022.

The fastest pacing mare in history won five times from 12 starts this year ($NZ622,142) with the owners deciding the seven-year-old was now ready to become a broodmare.

“In my wildest dreams I never thought I would have a mare like Shartin,” said owner Richard Poillucci, “It does not happen very often in our industry and in a lifetime for an owner.”

Shartin has been sold for an undisclosed sum to Ola Yoder, owner of Kountry Lane Standardbreds in Indiana.

"The barn will not be the same without her for sure," said trainer Jim King, Jr."Hard to imagine this barn without her and looking forward to her next race.

“It's been the driving force for me these past three years.We knew this day would come so ...it's tough."

In total she won 46 of her 68 starts with earnings of $2,667,563 ($NZ3,745,946).

“I can’t hardly tell you what’s it been like to have owned and raced a world champion like Shartin,” said co-owner JoAnn Looney King, “she’s the dream horse I longed for since I was a young girl in the horse business. She’s the dream horse everyone longs for.”

Shartin was bred by Grant Crabbe at Prebbleton just outside Christchurch (Tintin in America – Bagdarin) and won her qualifying trial at Ashburton on November 15 2016.

She was then sold to Australia where she had 7 wins for trainer Dean Braun before being bought by New Zealand bloodstock agent John Curtin on behalf of Poillucci.

She would become a phenomenon in North America. In 2018 she won 19 of her 24 starts and earned over a million dollars. She was named Dan Patch Pacer of the Year and was second for Harness Horse of the Year.

The next year 2019 would be even better as Shartin became the fastest standardbred horse ever bred in New Zealand, winning the Lady Liberty at the Meadowlands in a world record 1:46.4.

In all she won 15 from 19 on her way to being named 2019 Dan Patch Harness Horse of the Year. She was the first horse bred outside North America to do so.

“When I walk by her stall and speak to her I have some sadness but I know it’s best for her and for the team,” says JoAnn Looney King, “but damn it’s going to be hard to watch her walk out of that barn for the last time.”

[Gammalite]

What an amazing record by that mare.!

Never heard of it before, but based on that report, SHARTIN must be in the Top 10 BEST NZ bred horses ever. ! Congrats to the NZ Breeder !!!

[Davis]

1 hour ago, Gammalite said:

What an amazing record by that mare.!

Never heard of it before, but based on that report, SHARTIN must be in the Top 10 BEST NZ bred horses ever. ! Congrats to the NZ Breeder !!!

Yes, she would and probably be in the top three mares? The world's best promoter of harness racing, Heather Vitale, did a great story on Shartin... she visited Grant Crabbe  and had a good interview with him. She is also related to Jim King the trainer of Shartin... 

Unfortunately, I cannot find a link for the interview. I'll keep on looking and post if I find.

[Gammalite]

1 hour ago, Davis said:

Yes, she would and probably be in the top three mares?

I think you are popping in with Adore Me and Blossom Lady in that case ?

Gammalite always had to deal with Delightful Lady, Armalight and Bonnie's Chance. A great trio of NZ mares!!.

The AUCKLAND CUP about to go over there for 2020.

The 'Lady' won 2 Auckland Cups brilliantly in 80 and 81, Armalight won Auckland Cup in 83 and slotted right in between GAMMALITE in 1982 who held out Bonnie's Chance (just) phew !

to stop your lovely 3 mares getting Grandslam of mares  Auckland cups! sorry about that. 

[Davis]

1 hour ago, Gammalite said:

I think you are popping in with Adore Me and Blossom Lady in that case ?

Gammalite always had to deal with Delightful Lady, Armalight and Bonnie's Chance. A great trio of NZ mares!!.

The AUCKLAND CUP about to go over there for 2020.

The 'Lady' won 2 Auckland Cups brilliantly in 80 and 81, Armalight won Auckland Cup in 83 and slotted right in between GAMMALITE in 1982 who held out Bonnie's Chance (just) phew !

to stop your lovely 3 mares getting Grandslam of mares  Auckland cups! sorry about that. 

I have seen all those mares racing and the best of them is Adore Me in my opinion of course. I'm not sure how much stake money Adore Me won, perhaps $2m? Shartin has won over $3m so she would be the highest stake earner and of course a world record holder. 

Wouldn't it be an interesting mares race if you had a field of Adore Me, Shartin, Blossom Lady, Delightful Lady, Armalight and Bonnie's Chance! Who would win that?

[Gammalite]

4 minutes ago, Davis said:

I have seen all those mares racing and the best of them is Adore Me in my opinion of course. I'm not sure how much stake money Adore Me won, perhaps $2m? Shartin has won over $3m so she would be the highest stake earner and of course a world record holder. 

Wouldn't it be an interesting mares race if you had a field of Adore Me, Shartin, Blossom Lady, Delightful Lady, Armalight and Bonnie's Chance! Who would win that?

Adore Me would be too fast or too strong. She won about $1.5 million. 1.47.7 mile over at Menangle and a two mile win at Addington in 3.54.6 standing start.

Wow , I get tired just thinking about trying to keep up with that ............

[Davis]

8 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Adore Me would be too fast or too strong. She won about $1.5 million. 1.47.7 mile over at Menangle and a two mile win at Addington in 3.54.6 standing start.

Wow , I get tired just thinking about trying to keep up with that ............

And remember that Adore Me had a reasonable nag called Christen Me to contend with. He narrowly beat her in a few G1 races so her stake money could be have been far higher.