Ace Marine, a Canadian Thoroughbred Champion racehorse, was foaled in Ontario in 1952. His legacy in Canadian horse racing is significant, as he became one of the early champions to accomplish what would later be recognised as the Canadian Triple Crown. His career is a testament to his skill, endurance, and the expert training that guided him to success.
Background and Pedigree
Ace Marine came from an impressive bloodline, being sired by Ace Admiral, who was a grandson of the illustrious six-time British Champion Sire, Hyperion. Hyperion was known for producing top-quality racehorses, and his influence was evident in Ace Marine. On the dam side, Ace Marine was out of Mazarine, an American mare whose lineage added further strength and versatility to his pedigree. This strong genetic foundation set the stage for Ace Marine’s future success on the track.
In his early days, Ace Marine was acquired as a yearling by Larkin Maloney, a prominent figure in the horse racing world known for his keen eye for talent. Maloney purchased Ace Marine at the annual yearling sales for $8,500, a decision that would soon prove to be astute. To prepare Ace Marine for the rigours of racing, Maloney entrusted him to the care of Yonnie Starr, a renowned Canadian Hall of Fame trainer. Starr’s expertise played a crucial role in developing Ace Marine into a champion, carefully honing the colt's natural abilities and competitive spirit.
Early Racing Career
Ace Marine’s racing career began to take shape when he was two years old. Despite his youth, he quickly demonstrated his potential on the track. That year, he secured two victories, which hinted at his burgeoning talent. However, it was his performance in the Newport Stakes at Narragansett Park in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, that truly caught the attention of the racing community. In this race, Ace Marine finished third behind Boston Doge, who was, at the time, the world-record-holding sprinter. This impressive showing against such formidable competition indicated that Ace Marine was a colt to watch.
The Breakthrough Year: 1955
The year 1955 marked a turning point in Ace Marine’s career, as the three-year-old colt emerged as a dominant force in Canadian racing. His season began with victories in both divisions of the Plate Trial Stakes, a precursor to the Queen’s Plate, which is Canada’s most prestigious race. The Plate Trial Stakes were highly competitive, with numerous entries requiring seven divisions to accommodate all the participants. Ace Marine stood out as the only horse to win at both distances in the trials, showcasing his versatility and stamina.
The Queen’s Plate, which was broadcast on television for the first time by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, solidified Ace Marine’s place in racing history. Despite being largely overlooked by bettors, who underestimated his abilities, Ace Marine delivered a spectacular wire-to-wire victory, breaking from the number 11 post and never relinquishing his lead. His triumph in the Queen’s Plate was just the beginning of an extraordinary season.
Following his Queen’s Plate victory, Ace Marine continued his winning streak by capturing two more of Canada’s most prestigious races: the Prince of Wales Stakes and the Breeders' Stakes. These victories completed what would later be recognised as the Canadian Triple Crown, a remarkable achievement that had not been formally acknowledged at the time, as the Triple Crown designation was not officially instituted until 1959. Nonetheless, Ace Marine’s performances in these three races earned him retroactive recognition as a Canadian Triple Crown Champion in 2014.
In addition to his Triple Crown victories, Ace Marine also added other significant wins to his record in 1955. He claimed the Seagram Cup Stakes and the Durham Cup Handicap, further cementing his status as the top three-year-old in Canada. His extraordinary season culminated in him setting a new track record at Woodbine for the 1+1⁄8 miles (1.8 km) distance. These accomplishments earned Ace Marine the prestigious title of Canadian Horse of the Year in 1955, a fitting recognition of his dominance on the track.
Continued Success at Four
Ace Marine’s success did not end with his three-year-old season. In 1956, as a four-year-old, he returned to the track with renewed vigor and continued to add to his list of accolades. One of his most notable achievements that year was winning the inaugural Canadian Maturity, a race that was quickly becoming one of the most important events for older horses in Canada.
Ace Marine also demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level by winning the Dominion Day Handicap, a race held on Canada’s national holiday that attracted top competitors from across the country. In this race, Ace Marine not only won but did so in record time, further establishing his reputation as a versatile and resilient competitor. His continued success at four years old was a testament to his durability and the expert training he received from Yonnie Starr.
Retirement and Stud Career
After a stellar racing career, Ace Marine was retired to stud. Over the course of his career, he had won a total of 14 races, including nine stakes victories, and had been stakes-placed in five additional races. Despite his impressive record, Ace Marine’s stud career was less distinguished. While he sired several winners, he did not achieve the same level of success as a sire that he had enjoyed on the track.
Ace Marine’s total earnings during his racing career amounted to $90,909, which, while significant for the time, fell short of the coveted $100,000 mark. This was largely due to the relatively modest purses available during his racing era. However, his impact on Canadian horse racing extended far beyond his earnings, as he helped to lay the groundwork for the Canadian Triple Crown and set a standard of excellence for future generations.
Legacy and Honours
Ace Marine’s contributions to Canadian horse racing were formally recognised in 2003 when he was posthumously inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. This honor acknowledged not only his remarkable achievements on the track, but also his role in shaping the history of Canadian horse racing. Although he competed during a time when the Canadian Triple Crown had not yet been officially established, Ace Marine’s victories in the Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes, and Breeders' Stakes earned him retroactive recognition as a Triple Crown Champion, solidifying his place among Canada’s greatest racehorses.
In retrospect, Ace Marine’s career is a story of determination, skill, and the ability to rise to the occasion in the most challenging of circumstances. From his early days as a promising two-year-old to his dominance as a three-year-old and continued success at four, Ace Marine exemplified the qualities of a true champion. His legacy continues to inspire those in the world of Canadian horse racing, serving as a reminder of the rich history and tradition of the sport in Canada.