Millionaire and multiple graded stakes-winner Field Commission died suddenly Thursday morning in his paddock at Solera Farm, near Williston, from what appeared to be a heart attack.

    “He looked fine this morning and was playing in his paddock as he usually does when turned out,” owner Krista Seltzer said. Minutes later the chestnut stallion collapsed and died.

    Bred by Minshall Farms in Ontario, and owned and raced by Edward Seltzer, Field Commission won or placed in 10 of 19 stakes starts (eight graded) earning $1,030,266 from age three to seven. The son of Service Stripe was named Canada's Sprint Champion as a 4-year-old, after a campaign in which he won Woodbine's Gr. II Nearctic Stakes and Gr. III Vigil Stakes, and placed in four other graded races. Posting triple digit Beyers on dirt, turf and synthetic, he captured the 2012 Ponche Handicap at seven, setting a stakes record of 1:09.3 for the six-furlong test on the Calder Race Course surface.

    From six crops of racing age and with 114 runners, Field Commission has progeny earnings of more than $4.6 million. Among his current runners are Drafted, who won in his 2-year-old career debut at Keeneland, setting a track record of :50.45 for 4 1/2 furlongs. The 6-year-old became a multiple stakes-winner and was Group-placed, and has career earnings of $690,633. Other 2020 black-type performers are Hall Rich Legacy and 2-year-old Ricki Ticki Taffi.

    "Field Commission was a very very special soul," Krista Seltzer said. "He was truly all class.  His racing talent was exceptional and certainly speaks for itself. Not only was he physically stunning and an incredible athlete with great speed, but he was kind and honest with a great mind. ‘Commish’ was the ultimate professional, both on and off the track. He was an absolute dream to be around every day. He was a true gentleman with just the right bit of mischief.

    "Field Commission excelled in everything he did and he seemed to pass on his talent and great mind to his progeny. Like their sire, they just seem to get better with maturity. Field Commission was a farm favorite and one of his favorite things were his routine snacks of grapes.  He knew he had a home here forever and, for certain, is gone too soon. ‘Commish’ touched many lives and was well loved by many.  His loss is profound for all of us here at Solera."

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