from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — According to a report by Harness Racing Update, Rocknroll Hanover, voted 2005 Horse of the Year, was euthanized on Thursday at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center.

USTA/Ed Keys photo

Rocknroll Hanover was the 2005 Horse of the Year.

Rocknroll Hanover was named harness racing’s Horse of the Year for 2005 by the U.S. Harness Writers Association. Rocknroll Hanover, who also was named Pacer of the Year and 3-year-old Colt Pacer of the Year, won 12 of 18 races that year and banked $2.23 million, at the time the third-highest seasonal earnings in history behind Gallo Blue Chip (2000) and Cam’s Card Shark (1994).

Rocknroll Hanover’s wins in 2005 included the North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace and Breeders Crown, making him only the second horse to complete a sweep of the three races. The other was 2000 Horse of the Year Gallo Blue Chip.

As a sire, Rocknroll Hanover’s four crops of racing age have banked more than $45 million, with 104 $100,000 earners and 233 who have taken a record of 1:55.

Among his top foals are Rock N Roll Heaven p,3,1:47.3 ($2,748,818), the 2010 Horse of the Year, and Put On A Show p,5,1:47.3 ($2,406,628), the fastest female pacer in history.

The 11-year-old sire was standing stud at Perretti Farms of Pennsylvania.

Owned by Perretti Racing Stable, Jeffrey Snyder and Lothlorien Equestrian Centre, Rocknroll Hanover was inducted into the Living Horse Hall of Fame in 2012.