Popular racehorse and stallion Bo Knows Jate passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 12.
After retiring from racing in 1996, Bo Knows Jate stood stud at the farm of his co-owner, Mac Lilley Farms of Dutton, Ont. The farm issued a statement on the stallion’s passing.
Bo Knows Jate died peacefully in his home at Mac Lilley Farms today. The 25 year-old stallion left his mark on our lives. One Lilley grandson, Jate, was actually named after this loved horse.
Bo was purchased out of the Lexington Select Yearling Sale for $50,000.00. He began his career under the expert tutelage of trainer, driver and owner, Doug Arthur, and groom, Donnie Forman.
We remember Bo Knows Jate being responsible for filling buses with well-wishers to travel to Hazel Park to cheer on his win in the Nicole Hudock Memorial, and another bus to Northfield Raceway to catch his second place finish in the Battle Of Lake Erie.
Capturing 10 wins, 6 seconds and 3 thirds in the Free-For-All ranks in 1994 at Woodbine and Mohawk made him WEG’s 1994 Aged Pacing Horse of the Year. That same year he raced from one end of North America to the other. He went from Edmonton, Alberta, to Yonkers Raceway in New York, to Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ottawa, and still had time to breed over 125 mares.
In his entire breeding career Bo left behind 434 foals that earned over $25 million, with average earnings per starter of $80,039.
Bo Knows Jate was laid to rest under the maple trees that overlook the broodmare field. Thanks for the wonderful memories dear Bo. You will live in our hearts and minds forever.
