Bonefish to be an Immortal

On Sunday, July 1, 2007, “Hall of Fame Day,” only one Harness Racing Immortal will be inducted into the Hall during ceremonies held under the tent on the museum lawn: Hambletonian winner Bonefish. This great distinction is given both to people and horses, no longer living, who have made significant contributions to the sport of harness racing. Inductees are nominated annually by the museum’s members and elected by the Board of Trustees.

Bonefish was bred by and foaled in 1972 at Stoner Creek Stud of Paris KY. He was by Nevele Pride out of Exciting Speed by Speedster. Canadian horseman A.M. “Mac” Cuddy, in partnership with Rachel and Stanley Dancer, purchased the colt in 1973 for $27,000. Stanley Dancer was Bonefish’s trainer and driver for the duration of his successful racing career as a two and three-year-old. During his career Bonefish amassed $309,375 in total earnings with 28 starts and 17 wins. He was the 1974 Two-Year-Old Colt Trotter of the Year as well as the 1975 Three-Year-Old Colt Trotter of the Year.

As the fastest freshman colt trotter of 1974, Bonefish won 10 of 16 starts earning $90,204. He was victorious in the Van Riddell Stake, Arden Downs Stake, Review Futurity, Castleton Farm Stake, Walnut Hall Stake, Hanover-Hempt Stake, and Horseman Futurity. Bonefish finished a respectable second in the Tompkins Memorial, George Wilkes Trot, Scioto Challenge Stake, and T.W. Murphy Memorial.

During his three-year-old season, Bonefish earned $219,171, winning 7 of 12 starts. His wins included the Founder’s Gold Cup, Empire State Trot, American-National Stake, and Greenwood Trot. Bonefish’s most significant victory however, occurred when he won the 50th Edition of the Hambletonian. The phenomenal sophomore trotter established a world record for four heats divided of 1:59, 1:59.2, 2:00.3, and 2:02.4.

One week after his success in the Hambletonian, Bonefish was syndicated for a reported $1 million. He stood at Castleton Farm of Lexington KY from 1976 to 1987. In 1987 he was exported to Sweden. In total he sired 893 registered foals of which 625 were starters. Over one hundred of his offspring were two-minute performers, with three under 1:55. Their combined earnings total an impressive $22,228,297.

Bonefish’s greatest performer was 1992-93 European Grand Circuit Champion Sea Cove 3,1:56.2 ($2,466,355) out of Songlark, winner of the 1993 Elitlopp and Prix de France, as well as the 1994 Prix d’Amerique. Firm Tribute 3,1:54.3 ($1,231,324) out of Escapade was Bonefish’s fastest trotter who set his record time as a sophomore. He was victorious in the 1988 Breeders Crown and took second in the Hambletonian. Six of Bonefish’s eight fastest performers were fillies. One extraordinary Bonefish filly, and his fastest, was stakes champion Nan’s Catch 3,1:54.4 ($766,074) out of Nan Hanover, winner of the 1988 Hambletonian Oaks.

Bonefish, however, is best known as a successful broodmare sire. His daughters have produced 1870 registered foals of which 1299 were starters with earnings of over $60 million; 360 of these offspring were 2:00 performers, 34 raced under 1:55, and 155 had lifetime earnings of $100,000. He is the grand sire of the 1998 and 1999 Horse of the Year and 2006 Hall of Fame inductee Moni Maker 7,1:52.1 ($5,589,256) by Speedy Crown out of Nan’s Catch. Other successful stock out of Bonefish mares are Million Dollar Bye 4,1:53.3 ($1,226,945), Hanko Angus 4,1:54.0S ($1,207,486), and Chasing Tail 3,1:53.0 ($800,056). In addition, Jag de Bellouet by Vikings Way out of Vaunoise, great-grandson of Bonefish, proves, as a 1983 Castleton Farm advertisement states “its hard to catch a Bonefish.” The talented European trotter has been victorious in numerous contests including the 2005 Prix d’Amerique and Prix de Cornulier.

Sadly, Bonefish was found dead in his paddock at Johan Behrn’s stud farm in Arboga Sweden in 1988. He was only 16 years old. (Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame)

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