(Tuesday, March 14, 2006) - American Quarter Horse racing's only triple crown winner, Special Effort, was euthanized Saturday, March 12, at the Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie, Texas. The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame member was 27.

Foaled in Texas and bred by Allen Moehrig, Special Effort won 13 of 14 races and finished third once. He earned $1,219,949. Purchased in May of his 2-year-old year by Dan and Jolene Urschel, Special Effort went on to win the Kansas, Rainbow and All American futurities. Trained by Johnie Goodman, he was named world champion that year, as well as champion 2-year-old and champion 2-year-old colt. In 1982, he won the Kansas Derby, qualified to the Rainbow Derby but was scratched, and finished third to Justanold Love in the All American Derby, his first defeat and last start. He was champion 3-year-old colt that year.

The son of Raise Your Glass (TB) out of the Double Devil mare Go Effortlessly entered stud in 1983. He has sired 20 crops to race, and his get include 877 winners from 1,373 starters (64 percent) and 73 stakes winners. They have earned more than $18.1 million. Special Effort stands fourth on the all-time leading sires by winners and sixth, behind his son Strawfly Special, by earnings. Champions by him include Bully Bullion, Easygo Effort, Special Leader, Sweet N Special, Special Phoebe and Special Project.

Special Effort sired 1987 All American Futurity winner Elans Special. A sire of sires, his get include top stallions Strawfly Special, Special Leader and Special Task. He was also a noted broodmare sire, standing third on the all-time list in earnings, behind only Dash For Cash and Easy Jet, and ninth by winners. Among many others, he is the sire to Genuine Knockout, dam of All American Futurity (G1) winner Falling In Loveagain; Such An Easy Effort, dam of producer Fearless Freda and champion Deelish; Miss O Toole, dam of All American Futurity (G1) winner Eyesa Special; Tinys Effort, dam of champion Tiny First Effort and A Special Episode, dam of champion Eye Opening Episode.

He stood at the Four Sixes beginning in 1993, and remained there until he died.