From the News

Dated: October 29, 1918

After three years of valuable service at the front as a charger of Major W. I. S. Hendrie, the thoroughbred Rockspring died a hero's death, and a little wooden cross was erected over his grave, "somewhere in France." 

He was a game horse, died facing the enemy and he was buried where he fell.  It was only after three severe shell wounds and one siege of pneumonia that the game son of Martimas and Springwells was put away.  Rockspring's career on the turn was limited to Canadian racing, and although not a particularly brilliant performer he was described by his former trainer Eddie Whyte as "a game, honest old horse."   In 34 starts Rockspring won only five races, but he was many times in the money and his earnings amounted to about $3,600.

He was not a big horse, standing only about 15.2, but he was a stockily-built fellow, of ideal conformation for military purposes.  Like his sire, Martimas, Rockspring was chestnut in colour and a half-brother to Springside, winner of the King's Plate last spring.

Life at the front, however, was not a continual round of hard work for Rockspring.  On several occasions he showed that he still possessed much of his former speed when he took his share of honours when raced against other officers' horses, which included some pretty fair English thoroughbreds.