Hambo winner Shiaway St Pat dies

The 1981 Hambletonian winner Shiaway St. Pat, died on May 2, 2010 in his paddock at the farm of the veterinarian who foaled him 32 years ago, Dr. Clete Vonderwell in Delphos, OH.
 
The Tarport Devlin gelding enjoyed a long and interesting career which included winning the prestigious Hambletonian with driver Ray Remmen, who was making his Hambo debut. Over a rain-soaked track, Shiaway St. Pat won the race in a race-off in a time of 2:02.1. But injuries would eventually lead Shiaway St. Pat down into the ranks of claiming races and by 1988 he was competing for a price tag of $8,000 claimers.
 
Led by the efforts of Alan Gutterman, the Meadowlands purchased Shiaway St. Pat for $5,500 in April of that year, to ensure the Hambletonian winner would return to the scene of his greatest win. Turned out in Paddock Park, weather permitting, to mingle with racing fans, Shiaway St. Pat also led the post parade on Hambletonian Day.  After a few years, age and temperament rendered even those tasks too difficult for the aging gelding. Looking for a new, permanent home for Shiaway St. Pat, in 1995 the Meadowlands turned to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF).
 
When Dr. Vonderwell and his wife Mary discovered that the 17-year-old warrior was in need of a home he contacted the SRF and agreed to adopt his old friend.  He lived his remaining years in the company of his donkey friends Emiel, Ursula and Rock, several chickens and rabbits and his dog pal, Dexter.
 
"This was one of our best adoption stories," explained Judy Bokman, SRF's co-founder.  It would make a very enjoyable book, it has all the elements, the big win, the long arduous years, down on his luck, struggling, the great rescue, the limelight again, the very special loving home, and a peaceful end. We are happy to have been part of giving him what he deserved." (SRF)

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