Harness Racing Communications, a division of the USTA

Good grades and high test scores are not always needed for a spot at Stanford University. A horse with the right family tree just might get a stall at the prestigious university.

Leland Stanford, founder of the university, was a very important breeder of Standardbreds over 100 years ago and the bloodlines of his stallion Electioneer are found today in nearly every pacing Standardbred. The university has renovated “The Red Barn,” which was part of Stanford’s Palo Alto Stock Farm, and will consider adopting a Standardred descendent of Electioneer to serve as a university equine ambassador.

Virtually all pacers have Electioneer’s bloodlines, likely through Hal Dale, Adios and more recent dominant stallions such as Abercrombie. The desired horse should be a gelding, though mares can be considered, between 4-10 years of age, calm, well mannered, sound and healthy. Horses that have been ridden and/or are exceptionally handsome will increase their chances of selection.

For more information or to offer a horse, contact Ellen Harvey at HRCNews@ustrotting.com.