by Robin Clements, for the California Harness Horsemen’s Assn.

Sacramento, CA — British Sterling, the 2012 trotting stallion of the year in California, was euthanized Thursday (Oct. 24) after a battle with testicular cancer.

Foaled in 1991 by Overcomer, out of the mare Sterling Mistique, British Sterling was owned by the late Alan Kirschenbaum and trained by longtime partners and friends Tim and Denise Maier. He took his mark of 1:56.1 and earned a bankroll of $232,714 before being retired to the breeding shed where he had 28 starters out of 32 foals.

British Sterling shared breeding duties with another California favorite, Little Steven, at Alan Kirschenbaum’s Cherry Tree farm in Wilton, California.

Shari Burns, longtime friend and farm manager, stated, “It was a sad day for us and very hard as British was put down two days before the one-year anniversary of Alan’s death. We fed him carrots but he was letting us know it was time to go. He’s up there now with Alan, sharing those memories, especially the favorite win together at The Red Mile.”

British Sterling was awarded the 2012 stallion of the year award for trotters based on his prodginy’s offspring in the sires stakes program. Some of his offspring are Cast British 6,1:56 ($280,506), Jess Or No 5,1:56.1 ($210,153), Silverlode 3,1:58 ($69,282) and a Cal Expo fan favorite, Cherry Tree Nicole 7,1:57.4 ($124,456) who in the last two years has racked up 28 wins.