Death of Smart Strike

The American thoroughbred industry suffered a great loss today with the death of Smart Strike. The last of the great sire sons of Mr. Prospector in North America, Smart Strike was the only one of the sons of the great progenitor to top the American general sire list, a feat he accomplished in 2007 and 2008. Best remembered as the sire of 2007-2008 American Horse of the Year Curlin, he is also the sire of two Canadian Horses of the Year in Soaring Free (2004) and Never Retreat (2011) as well as champions Lookin at Lucky, English Channel, My Miss Aurelia, Dr. Arbatach, Eye of the Sphynx, Portcullis, Gold Strike, Added Edge and Silver Streaker. He also leaves behind a growing reputation as a broodmare sire.

Smart Strike was one of the most distinguished representatives of the family of Sam-Son Farm's great foundation mare No Class. The first of three generations of Canadian Broodmares of the Year, No Class produced four champions including 1984 Canadian Oaks winner Classy 'n Smart (by Smarten), dam in turn of 1991 Canadian Horse of the Year and American champion 3-year-old filly Dance Smartly (by Danzig) and Smart Strike, a Grade I winner in his own right. The bare listing of these accomplishments only scratches the surface of what No Class and her descendants have accomplished, but suffice it to say that Smart Strike has been worthy of his illustrious heritage and has passed it on in style. He will be missed.