The spectacular pacer, Somebeachsomewhere, lost his battle with stomach cancer on January 14, 2018. 

Foaled May 25, 2005, the Standardbred colt by Mach Three out of Where’s The Beach, with Cam Fella his great grandsire on his dam’s side, made an impressive debut in 2007, and went on to set four world records, including the fastest mile in the history of the sport, and earn $3.2 million. In 2008 he had the highest earnings by a three-year-old in a single season with $2,448,003. He won 20 of his 21 starts and was Canada’s Horse of the Year in 2008.

World records:

• Fastest mile by a two-year-old - 1:49.3 set winning the $1 million Metro Pace on September 1, 2007 at the Mohawk Racetrack.
• Fastest mile by a three-year-old on a half-mile track - 1:49.2 set in the second and deciding heat of the $493,000 Confederation Cup on August 17, 2008 at Flamboro Downs.
• Fastest mile by a three-year-old - 1:46.4 set in the $134,000 Bluegrass on September 27, 2008 at The Red Mile.
• Fastest race mile in history - 1:46.4 set in the $134,000 Bluegrass on September 27, 2008 at The Red Mile (equaled the race mile recorded by five-year-old Holburn Hanover in the $195,000 U.S. Pacing Championship on August 5, 2006 at the Meadowlands.

After winning his last race in November 2008, “The Beach” retired to Hanover Shoe Farms in Pennsylvania to stand at stud, but he continued to be owned by Schooner Stables in Nova Scotia. The superstar pacer was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame just nine months after retiring. In January 2010, he was selected as Harness Racing’s Racehorse of the Decade (2000 through 2009).

Somebeachsomewhere was first diagnosed with abdominal pain, but during surgery veterinarians discovered a small mass that was determined to be cancerous. Since mid-November 2017, he had been undergoing chemotherapy for stomach cancer at a veterinary hospital in New Jersey. He died on January 14, 2018.

Somebeachsomewhere with Brent McGrath. Photo: Horse Racing Hall of Fame

“We treated him, and as cancer can do a lot of times, it got the best of him," says Brent MacGrath, the horse’s former trainer and driver and one of his owners. “Horses and cancer do not mix very well. You’re always prepared for the worst. We had a great group of owners that were very supportive of doing the right thing with Beach, and giving him the best possible chance.”

After retiring from racing nine years ago, Somebeachsomewhere became the most expensive breeding stallion in North America, siring horses that made more than $80 million in winnings.

Main photo: Dave Landry Photography