by John Siscos, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — Trainer-driver Roger Mayotte has announced the retirement of his millionaire pacer, Escape The Wind.

It’s a day Mayotte expected, but wished never came.

“It was a very tough decision, but at 11 years old my partners and I decided it was good timing,” said the conditioner. “Even though he still looks and feels like a 6-year-old, his age showed up, slowing down his overall speed and performance.”

New Image Media photo

Escape The Wind won 62 races and earned $1,913,219 in his career.

The veteran pacer will retire with a record of 62-25-27 in 224 starts and $1,913,219 in lifetime earnings.

The son of Artiscape-Chicole began his sophomore campaign in 2003 for owners Mayotte, Ross Warriner, Lou Liebenau and Stavros Kourgiantakis of the Venture 2000 Stable.

That year, the gelding won the Bluegrass and $153,000 Tattersalls Pace at the Red Mile, was second by a head to No Pan Intended in the $542,500 Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands and won the $281,570 final of the Provincial Cup at Windsor Raceway.

Escape The Wind started his 4-year-old season off with a bang. He swept the Aquarius Series and finished second in the $285,000 Graduate, both at the Meadowlands.

At five, he captured the second leg of the Classic Series at Woodbine in 1:48.3, setting what was then a Canadian, stakes and track record.

The duo also captured two Gold Cups at Woodbine and the $250,000 American-National at Balmoral Park.

The big bay went on to compete against Woodbine’s top pacers, winning a total of 19 Opens.

“Having a horse like ‘Escape’ is what every horseman works hard for,” said the Mississauga resident. “It makes going to work every day a lot more enjoyable when you’re dealing with the ups and downs of the business.”

In retirement, Escape The Wind will get a well-earned rest and exchange his harness bag for a saddle.

“We will be showing him the ropes to become a pleasure riding horse,” said Mayotte. “He can have the occasional ride and have long days in a paddock where he can enjoy the easy life.”