TOP MARC - has died suddenly Tuesday 9th November 2010
Former star Queensland galloper and sire of the past few seasons ‘Top Marc’ has died suddenly at this home Racetree today Tuesday 9th November.
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Top Marc, known as the gallant grey, was regarded as one of the toughest horses to race in the sunshine state in the past decade. The son of ‘Canadian Silver’ won the Listed sprint feature the Sunshine Coast Turf Club Glasshouse Handicap and finished runner up in the Gold Coast Turf Club Goldmarket and the Doomben Stakes. Top Marc defeated the top horses including ‘Clangalang’ and ‘Star Of Florida’ in his career. He won from two years to seven years, from 1000m to 1800m and handled any sort of track conditions.
He retired four seasons ago with impressive statistics of 55 starts for 12 wins and 8 placings with $418,000 in stakes monies.
His trainer Kelly Schweida was full of admiration for Top Marc he knew as Lesley. “Just a tough old bugger. More than handy and the best natured Entire ever seen. An incredibly good natured horse with a big heart. It’s a very sad day for all here,” Schweida said. “The late Ross Maclean and his current family just loved this horse. People just loved him,” Schweida concluded.
Top Marc has stood for the last four seasons at Racetree serving around 90 mares. Racetree Managing Director Kevin Dixon is devastated by the loss. “One minute he was here and the next moment gone. He went quickly. It’s a sad day for all here at Racetree. It’s a bit of a sombre day,” he said.
Ross Maclean’s breeding and racing endeavours continue on through Ross Maclean Racing. RMR also has interests in 2 of Top Marc’s first 2 year olds and look forward to this Summer’s racing with ‘Barassie Brother’ and ‘Flying Marc’.
RMR sponsored the Ross Maclean Fellowship race at Caloundra only last Sunday in an endeavour to help raise funds for research into Motor Neurone Disease at the Queensland Brian Institute UQ where the Maclean Family continue to support a research Fellowship.
Ross was also a past president and long time (currently 34 years straight) major sponsor of Souths Rugby Club through the family company Index Group.
