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Matt's Scooter ison the road again Horse sold for coo Utica's Matt's Scooter, the rich- est standardbred in North America, was sold recently for $4.2 mil- lion. The deal was signed in the first week of November, after Perretti Farms in New Jersey made Matt's owners an "offer they couldn't re- fuse." Gord Rumpel of OTRA Farm in Utica and Charlie Jurabinski, owner of Flamborough Downs, turned Matt's ownership papers over to Perretti Farms in return live foal will be approximately $8,500, and Matt could very well service 135 or more mares in his first year. Which means Matt might be bringing his owners $1,147,500 in his debut season at stud. Poulton and Rumpel purchased Matt at a yearling sale, the New Jersey Fall Classic, in 1986. "Harry and I both liked his con- firmation. He was a good-looking colt," Rumpel said about first im- pressions. for the sizeable cheque. Poulton's hard work and training The horse will be leaving for efforts obviously paid off. Good New Jersey December 5, after are- 1ooks and confirmation do not ne- tirement party for him December cessarily make a winner at the 4 at Flamborough Downs. track. In his first racing season, 1987, Matt's Scooter won only $20,000, but 1988 was his year. All told, trainer Harry Poulton says Matt captured $1,780,000 this season alone, making him the richest pacer in North American history. Up until this season, the richest _standardbred was On The Road Again, also owned by Gord Rum- pel, and now retired to stud in the United States. Poulton said offers were flying in fast and furious for the hand- some three year old winner. "When a horse of that calibre comes along, there are many of- fers coming in," Poulton said. "This offer couldn't be refused." . Matt still has to pass a fertility test in Guelph before the deal is absolutely official, but nobody is worried. Had Rumpel and Jurabinski kept Unfortunately, Matt lost his last race by a nose at Mohawk Race- way, but in his second last bid, Matt proved he was a winner by capturing the $380,000 purse at Sportsman's Park in Chicago. Poulton, who was perhaps clos- er to Matt than anybody else, ad- mits he'll miss the horse. He says Matt has a good temperament, and is a pleasure to be around. "It's always a bit of a blow when you lose a horse of this cali- bre," he told the Star. "He was a nice horse." But there'll be little time for Poulton to sit around and feel melancholy. With 30 horses in the barn at Utica, and another rac- ing season just around the comer, there's plenty of work to be done. He says best prospects for next year include nine OTRA offspring and a horse with almost the same > » - . N w~ ln . . Cag Matt's Scooter, the richest standardbred in North America, will be leaving Utica PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, November 22, 1968 -- 5 - | $4.2 milli on! ~ - i Re soon. The horse has been sold for an amazing $4.2 million by his owners Char- lle Jurabinskl (left) and Gord Rumpel. Trainer Harry Poulton (right) says he'll miss Matt, but the offer was definitely too good to refuse. See story for deta!'s. Nestleton farm was top winner for seed barley at the Royal Matt, the horse would have been breeding as Mall's Scooter. i "It was quite a thrill for us," Royal which attracted entries from raced next year, Poulton said. The The farm also purchased 18 Neston tio ove] winnes he told the Star. as far away as Alberta and Scot- new owners, however, are imme- yearlings at three sales this year. jp he open competition for seed The ten pounds of seeds en- land. diately retiring Utica's equine ce- Maybe, just maybe, there'll be barley at the Royal Winter Fair in tered for judging were all hand- And his 20-year old son Brent lebrity to stud. another winner in the bunch. No 1 0ni0 selected by Mr. McLaughlin and took the Thompson trophy for the Poulton figures stud fees for a doubt everyone at OTRA Farm is Lawrence McLaughlin was then cleaned by Swain Seed best barley seeds in the 4-H divi- hoping. .presented with the Brewers Asso- Cleaners and Dealers of Black- sion at the Royal. Last year, Brent ciation of Canada trophy and a stock. Judges look for the colour of the seeds, the size and the unifor- mity. This was the first time Mr. McLaughlin had entered barley sceds in the competition at the cheque for $500 after the judges selected his entry as the best in the competition from among 30 others. The - Quilters Bro == Cupboard SD -- A fine selection of cotton panels & prints -- Quilting Supplies -- Books and Patterns -- Folk Dolls, Wreaths, Country Gifts - hand-crafted with care -- Lessons and Workshops PRE-CHRISTMAS SALE 25% OFF U.I.P. Christmas Hoop Panels & All Red & Green Hoops BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE QUILTING LESSONS REGISTER NOW! Classes starting January 10th and 14th Alternate Tuesday or Alternate Saturday. The Quilter's Cupboard SANDY HOOK RD., RR 2 UXBRIDGE 1% km. north of corners of Brock & Main Sts. (416) 852-3617 Tuesday to Saturday 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM ih AIRS a ER : » 1 Dart of vour life