For the second straight year, The University of Illinois Horse Farm is home to an Illinois Stallion of the Year, as recognized by voters in the United State Trotting Association’s District 5.
At the January 2017 USTA District 5 Awards banquet, The UI pacing stallion, Sagebrush, was named Illinois Pacing Sire of the year for 2016, and now his diagonally-gaited stable mate, Cassis, has matched his honor by being named the 2017 Illinois Trotting Stallion of the Year at the 2018 USTA District 5 banquet held on January 20th in Springfield, IL.
Cassis, owned by the Cassis Syndicate and primary shareholder and Syndicate Manager Carl Becker, and standing stud at the University of Illinois since the beginning of his career, set the standard for Illinois trotting stallions in 2017 primarily on the strength of siring numerous stakes-winning 2 year olds. His top 2 year old stakes-winners included Maui Mama 2, 1:56 ($ 81,280), Trotting Grace 2, 1:59 ($ 64,782), Illinimight 2, 2:00.1 ($ 84,330) and Cruzen Cassi 2, 2:01.3 ($ 59,256). Cassis also strengthened his credentials with strong performances from his 3 year old race horses like Anna’s Lucky Star 3, 1:53.3 ($ 190,300) and Trixie’s Jethro 3, 1:57 ($ 96,116). Maui Mama was named 2 Year Old Illinois Trotting Filly of the Year, and Anna’s Lucky Star was named 3 Year Old Illinois Trotting Filly of the Year.
The University of Illinois Horse Farm continues to stand Cassis for a 2018 stud fee of $2,500 and the pacing stallions Sagebrush and Major Bombay for stud fees of $2,000 each.