Benburb, Canada's Horse of the Year in 1992, died Wednesday, according to a release from the Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement center in Scott County. He was 23.

The gray gelding was euthanized due to complications from melanomas at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington.

In July 1992, Benburb won the Prince of Wales Stakes in one of the biggest upsets in Canadian horse racing history. Benburb, a 24-1 shot, pulled away from Alydeed in the last strides at Fort Erie Race Track in Ontario.

In September 1992, Benburb won the Molson Export Million at Toronto as a 32-1 shot. Belmont Stakes winner A.P. Indy finished fifth.

Benburb finished his racing career with seven wins in 22 starts, earning $1.15 million.

Benburb had been at Old Friends since 2008. Catherine Perkins, farm manager of Perkins-Mackey Stables in Bourbon County, donated him to Old Friends.

Greg Kocher: (859) 231-3305. Twitter: @HLpublicsafety