Chief Bearhart's dam dies at 27

Canadian Broodmare of the Year Amelia Bearhart, dam of champion Chief Bearhart, died Jan. 7, owner Richard Maynard confirmed Monday.

Maynard said the 27-year-old Bold Hour mare has been buried at Maynard Farm near Lexington.

Amelia Bearhart made 13 starts, winning once and placing in the 1985 Burnsville Handicap. Her racing career ended prematurely when she kicked her stall wall and injured her foot.

Maynard, who acquired her from Spendthrift Farm and bred Chief Bearhart, said he never was tempted to sell Amelia Bearhart.

"That was a once-in-a-lifetime mare," said Maynard, who owned Amelia Bearhart for 24 years. "Most people never get one like her."

Chief Bearhart, by Chief's Crown, was Canada's Horse of the Year twice, in 1997 and 1998; a four-time Canadian champion; and North America's champion turf horse in 1997. He won the Breeders' Cup Turf that season as well as the Grade 1 Manhattan Handicap in 1998 in addition to seven other stakes.

Amelia Bearhart also produced Grade 1 winner Explosive Red and three other stakes performers. Her last foal is the 2006 War Chant filly Here Comes Amelia, and Maynard has high hopes for her grandson Trackman, by Empire Maker out of Stormy Bear.