Smart Surprise, a leading contender for Canadian champion older mare, has been retired from racing, according to John Sikura’s Hill n’ Dale Farms. Breeding plans are undecided.
A 5-year-old daughter of Smart Strike, Smart Surprise won this year’s Hendrie (Can-III), Hill ‘n’ Dale, and Ontario Matron Stakes for Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings while trained by Josie Carroll. She also recorded a 107 Beyer Speed Figure at Fair Grounds. Last year for Hill ‘n’ Dale, she won the Bessarabian Stakes.
Smart Surprise won or placed in 21 of 22 starts and earned $508,709.
Bred in Kentucky by William S. Farish and Kilroy Thoroughbred Partnership, Smart Surprise is one of four stakes winners out of the Storm Bird mare Weekend Storm. Smart Surprise’s second dam is 1992 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Weekend Surprise.