Alex Duncan Passes

Published: June 26, 2017 09:53 pm EDT

Trot Insider has learned that longtime harness racing industry participant Alex Duncan passed away on Sunday (June 25th) at the Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton at the age of 88.

He will be remembered as a hard worker, a jack-of-all trades, an avid spokesman for the community of horsepeople, and a kind and compassionate man.

Born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1928, Alex became an electrician's apprentice after leaving high school when he was only 13. He spent 2-1/2 years in the navy, mostly on destroyer duty. Having been married only a year at the time, he decided to come to Canada at the age of 24 years old. He was employed as an electrician, and soon after became business manager of the electricians' union, IBEW. He built his home in Stoney Creek on a 10-acre plot.

By this time, Alex became intrigued with horse racing, more so with standardbreds. His children were tiring of ponies and wanted a riding horse that sent Alex to a sale in Toronto where he paid $175 for the pacer, Brady Cash in 1967. He began dividing his time between the horses and the business.

After having early success with racing horses, he left the security of a manager's job with Ainsworth Electric in 1974 to enter the risky world of horse racing full-time. Alex had many great horses over the years and always had a keen interest and eye for tough, overnight horses. Some of his favourite horses included Stoney Creek Kid, who was a homebred, Sterl Hanover, Armbro Song, Push Ahead, Sachet Hanover, Trucking Sam, Keystone Madden, and Ferball.

In addition to his success with racing, Alex dedicated many years to being a representative for the horse people at Flamboro Downs as well held the position of executive director of the Canadian Trotting Association (CTA) and President of the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA). He was also selected as Horseman of the Year for 1980. In addition, Alex was instrumental in importing several Standardbreds from his native, Scotland, such as Jubilees Surprise GB. He would also go on to teach a horse racing course for Mohawk College.

Alex will be greatly missed by his beloved wife, Mary, his five children, Arlene (Brian), David (Brenda), John (Renie), Linda, and Kenneth, his six grandchildren, Jenny (Len), Kelly, Angela, Kevin, Ben, and Emma, and his two great-grandchildren, Jaelyn, and Jordyn.

A visitation will be held for friends and family Thursday, June 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Donald V. Brown Funeral Home, 36 Lake Avenue Drive, Stoney Creek, ON L8G 3N3.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Alex Duncan.

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