Champion Pacer Taurasi Euthanized After Injury at Woodbine Mohawk Park

Taurasi, the seven-year-old pacer who won Canada's 2024 O'Brien Award for Older Pacing Horse, was humanely euthanized on March 14 at Woodbine Mohawk Park after sustaining an on-track injury in what would be his 90th and final career start.

Racing on the lead heading into the last turn, Taurasi broke stride and was pulled up by Doug McNair, his longtime regular driver. Woodbine confirmed on social media that the horse had been put down. McNair, visibly affected by the loss, booked off the remainder of his drives for the night.

The breakdown unfolded without immediate public explanation. One viewer who watched the card online noted a lengthy delay between the third and fourth races, with an announcement afterward that McNair had been removed from all remaining drives, but no reason given for either the delay or his withdrawal. The full picture only emerged later, when Woodbine's social media confirmation and the Standardbred Canada notice made clear what had happened in race three.

Taurasi's 2024 O'Brien Award recognized him as the top older pacing horse in Canada, a distinction that placed him among the elite of the country's standardbred circuit. His 90th start, by any measure, reflected a durable and accomplished career; the specifics of his full record, including total wins and career earnings, had not been confirmed by press time.

No trainer or owner name appeared in initial reports, and no veterinary statement regarding the nature or cause of the injury had been released. Standardbred Canada closed its notice with a call for the sport to offer condolences to Taurasi's connections. The racing community responded quickly, with tributes appearing online in the hours following the announcement.

The circumstances surrounding Taurasi's death, including whether a necropsy was planned and what the veterinary finding showed, remain pending. Woodbine Mohawk Park had not issued a formal statement beyond its social media post as of the initial reports following the March 14 card.