from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Champion racehorse and stallion Matt’s Scooter, 29, was euthanized on Monday (June 30) at Mid-Atlantic Equine Clinic in Ringoes, N.J. He had been residing at Perretti Farms in New Jersey, where he had stood at stud virtually his entire career.

During his three-year campaign as a racehorse for trainer Harry Poulton and owners Gordon and Illa Rumpel and Charles Juravinski, Matt’s Scooter won 37 times in 61 trips behind the gate, with earnings of $2,944,591. He was voted Horse of the Year in the United States in 1989 and was Canada’s Horse of the Year in both 1988 and 1989. The son of Direct Scooter-Ellens Glory also earned the 3-year-old colt and overall Pacer of the Year award in 1988 in the USA.

Lightly raced at two, and ineligible for the Little Brown Jug and Cane Pace at three, Matt’s Scooter still managed to earn $1.78 million in 1988, winning 11 races and finishing out of the money only twice in 22 starts. He became the fastest pacer in the history of the sport that fall when he time-trialed in 1:48.2 at The Red Mile for his regular driver Mike Lachance.

Coming back to the races as a 4-year-old, Matt’s Scooter won 23 times in 30 starts in 1989, adding another $1.14 million to his bank account.

His career stakes wins included the Meadowlands Pace, Messenger, Breeders Crown Open Pace, American-National, New Jersey Classic, Prix d’Ete, Nat Christie Memorial, Confederation Cup, Driscoll, Mohawk Gold Cup, Stewart Fraser Memorial, Cornell Memorial and U.S. Pacing Championship.

During his 20-year career at stud Matt’s Scooter was just as spectacular at Perretti Farms. His sons and daughters include numerous divisional and world champions. Mach Three ($2.17 million) was his richest performer and Royal Mattjesty (1:48.4) his fastest.

His offspring earned $74.39 million and 210 were $100,000 winners. He also sired 358 1:55 performers and 792 with 2:00 marks.

Matt’s Scooter was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Living Horse Hall of Fame in Goshen in 2006.

Editor’s Note: Click here to read more about Matt’s Scooter in an excerpt from Barbara Livingston’s latest book, Standardbred Old Friends.