Fourstardave

Fourstardave (1985–2002) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse.

Fans called him "The Sultan of Saratoga" because he'd won at least one race at Saratoga Race Course each year from 1987 to 1994. He died of a heart attack in October 2002 at the age of 17 on the Belmont Park track yet is buried in Claire Court at Saratoga Race Course. This is a rare honor since only three horses are buried there.

He died October 14, 2002 after having been shipped to Belmont Park to take part in a post parade of retired New York-breds on New York Showcase Day. Taken out onto the track in early morning to do light training he had a heart attack while trotting the track clockwise.

Fourstardave retired having made 99 starts with a record of 21-18-16 and earnings of $1,636,560. At Saratoga, the fan favorite set a course record of 1:38 4/5 for a mile and a sixteenth. On the turf he was perhaps best, winning 15 races and almost $1 million.

Upon his retirement, he was feted at neighboring Siro's Restaurant, where he was presented with an edible key to the city and had the small lane named "Fourstardave Way" in his honor.

In his honor and tribute The Daryl's Joy Stakes at Saratoga was changed to the Fourstardave, now a Grade 2 stakes.

In 1997 (at the age of 12) he participated in the High Hope Steeplechase at the Kentucky Horse Park in an amateur event for charity, and finished second.

References

• Fourstardave's pedigree and partial racing stats
• BloodHorse July 28, 2005 "Sultan of Saratoga: Remembering Fourstardave"