Sir Taurus is a Standardbred harness racehorse, foaled on March 20, 1984, at Lindy Farms in Somersville, Connecticut in the United States.^[1] Sir Taurus' sire was Speedy Crown, and his dam was Vanessa Hill.^[2] Speedy Crown's sire was Speedy Scot, and his dam was Missile Toe; Vanessa Hill's sire was Hickory Pride, and her dam was Viola Hill.^[3][4][5]

Career

Sir Taurus' winnings were $484,810, after racing for only two years in 1986 and 1987.^[6] He had 11 major wins during his racing career.^[2] Sir Taurus was a world champion;^[7] co-holder of a world record for three-year-old colt trotters on a half-mile track with a time of 1:57.2h;^[2][7] and had set six track records throughout his career at that time.^[8] His fastest time for the mile was 1:56.3.^[9] As a two-year-old, Sir Taurus tied or held track records at Syracuse, Pompano, and Greenwood.^[8] As a three-year-old, he held track records at Brandywine Raceway,^[10] Goshen, and Pocono.^[8]

Sir Taurus' trainer and driver was Jimmy Takter^[11] for the Antonacci family and Daniel R. Gernatt, Sr.^[12] of Dan Gernatt Farms.^[9] The Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, New York annually holds the Sir Taurus Trot for Standardbred harness racing.^[13]

Progeny

Of Sir Taurus' nearly 700 offspring, Approved Action (1:54.1)^[7] earned the most in winnings with $715,676.^[1][9] Sir Taurus' offspring have earned $23.7 million in combined winnings.^[1][9] Of all offspring of Sir Taurus (with Amanda T. Collins, a daughter of Texas^[14][15]), Red Hot Blue Chip sold for the most money at $52,000 in 1999.^[16]

Retirement

Said to be an easygoing horse with a gentle nature, Sir Taurus turned 30 in 2014, and is at Blue Chip Farms,^[17] now retired,^[18] providing school children and scouts with opportunities to visit him. On July 5, 2014, Sir Taurus appeared for photo opportunities with visitors at the horse racetrack in Goshen.^[1]

Pedigree

References