NEWS
New Jersey-based stallion Unbridled Jet dies in lightning strike
Posted: Friday, July 08, 2011 2:29 PM
by Frank Angst
Successful New Jersey-based stallion Unbridled Jet died on Thursday when he was hit by lightning in a sudden storm at Sleeter Farm in Clementon, New Jersey.
Farm owner Kurt Sleeter said he was calling in the 15-year-old Unbridled stallion when a bolt of lightning struck, killing the veteran stallion instantly.
“It’s kind of crazy here right now,” Sleeter said on Friday. “We felt like we had a good thing going with him. We were just talking the other day about how he’d gotten all of his mares in foal.”
Through Thursday, Unbridled Jet ranked third on the New Jersey sire list for this season and he continues to be in a close race for second with Iron Deputy.
Unbridled Jet won three of 11 starts and finished second in the 1999 Pegasus Handicap (G2) at the Meadowlands. He began his stallion career in 2001 at Country Life Farm in Bel Air, Maryland. In 2007, he moved to Sleeter Farm where he stood for $2,000 this year.
From eight crops of racing age, including nine current two-year-olds, Unbridled Jet boasts eight stakes winners. He has 108 winners from 168 starters and progeny earnings of $7,252,003 through Thursday. Some of his top foals include five-time stakes winner Jet Away Jane and Miss Lombardi, winner of the 2008 Maryland Million Ladies Stakes.
Noting that the farm had been sending all of its mares to Unbridled Jet, Sleeter predicted continued success from his progeny. As for the farm, Sleeter plans to bring in a new stallion for next season.
“We have some breeder awards in place in New Jersey for the next five years and that’s encouraging,” Sleeter said. “We need some more stallions in the state. I’m optimistic about things.”
Frank Angst is senior writer of Thoroughbred Times
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: someone who knows mr. sleeter, blackwood, NJ on July 10, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Thanks to the Thoroughbred Times for remembering Unbridled Jet. Mr. Sleeter is NOT “like some people in the horse business that only care about the bottom line.” It’s disconcerting to hear comments in which attack Mr. Sleeter and assume he doesn’t care. This article is about a horse that tragically died and his accomplishments not about the devastation of Mr. Sleeter.
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Posted by: awesome maria lover!, horseland, IL on July 09, 2011 at 11:30 AM
yeah i mean if i saw any horse get struck by lightning i would be devastated for life!he does not sound sad at all. Tami i am not a fan of your comments! you cant say that! this is true maybe about some people but you cant say nobody cares for the horses!!!!
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Posted by: Drew, Franklinville, NJ on July 09, 2011 at 08:15 AM
Mr Sleeter doesn't seem too upset about the horse-- he's optimistic about a new stallion, breeder's awards and a 5 year deal. Some people in horse racing only care about their bottom line. R.I.P. Jet
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Posted by: Tami, Tempe, AZ on July 09, 2011 at 05:19 AM
Yep, it's all about business to these people. No one cares about the horse. What a way to go. Guess it's better than being sent to the slaughterhouse.
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Posted by: Kathy, San Diego, CA on July 08, 2011 at 06:16 PM
RIP Unbridled Jet! Horses do go to
Heaven. ;)
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