Jozsef ‘Amigo Joe’ Hain Passes

Joe Hain, who was a fixture in the Alberta racing scene, peacefully passed away in his sleep this week at the age of 84.

Hain was a friend to both racing breeds. Over a 30-year period he worked for numerous standardbred stables – Myles Ford, Kelly Hoerdt, Jamie Gray, Robert Sabourin Jr., Mahlon Frost and David Hayes, to name a few. He was well respected for his attention to detail and work ethic.

Hain was born in Hungary and escaped the communist regime in the 1950s. Crossing numerous countries, he made it to Italy, where he was interned in a refugee camp for two years. He was then sent to Canada to work in northern Ontario at a lumber camp. He eventually landed in Toronto, where he signed a professional soccer contract to play goal. Hain won many awards for his play, and played alongside many of the great touring players that came through Toronto – one of them being his hero and idol, the great Hungarian international Ferenc Puskas.

Funeral arrangements to follow.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Joe Hain.

(Alberta Standardbred Horse Association)