Millionaire, multiple Graded stakes winner Field Commission died suddenly this morning in his paddock at Solera Farm, near Williston, Fla., from what appeared to be a heart attack.
Solera Farm's Krista Seltzer said, “He looked fine this morning and was playing in his paddock as he usually does when turned out.” Minutes later the chestnut stallion collapsed and died.
Bred by Minshall Farms in Ontario, owned and raced by Edward Seltzer, the son of Service Stripe (Deputy Minister) won or placed in 10 of 19 stakes starts (eight graded) earning $1,030,266 from three to seven. Field Commission was named Canada's champion sprinter as a 4-year-old, after a campaign in which he won Woodbine's Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes and G3 Vigil Stakes, and placed in four other graded races.
Posting triple-digit Beyers on dirt, turf and synthetic, he captured the 2012 Ponche Handicap at seven, setting a stakes record for the six-furlong test in 1:09.3 on the at Calder Race Course surface.
From six crops of racing age and 114 runners, Field Commission has progeny earnings of more than $4.6 million. Among his current runners are Drafted, who won his 2-year-old career debut at Keeneland while setting a track record of :50.45 for 4 1/2 furlongs; a multiple stakes winner and group-placed, the 6-year-old has career earnings of $690,633. Other 2020 black type performers include Hall Rich Legacy and 2-year-old Ricki Ticki Taffi.
“Field Commission was a very very special soul,” Krista Seltzer said. “He was truly all class. His racing talent was exceptional and certainly speaks for itself. Not only was he physically stunning and an incredible athlete with great speed, but he was kind and honest with a great mind. 'Commish' was the ultimate professional, both on and off the track. He was an absolute dream to be around every day. He was a true gentleman with just the right bit of mischief. Field Commission excelled in everything he did and he seemed to pass on his talent and great mind to his progeny. Like their sire, they just seem to get better with maturity.
“Field Commission was a farm favorite and one of his favorite things were his routine snacks of grapes,” Seltzer continued. “He knew he had a home here forever. He has for certain, gone too soon. 'Commish' touched many lives and was well loved by many. Field Commission's loss is profound for all of us here at Solera.”
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