Jim Raymer Passes; Arrangements Set

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Published: July 9, 2015 08:59 am EDT

Horseman Jim Raymer, known for his knowledge and success with trotters, died Wednesday (July 8) at the age of 62 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Originally from Markham, Ont. and a self-proclaimed "city boy", Raymer started out in harness racing with a group friends, a case of beer and an idea to have good time.

"There were five of us; I think we all put in $500, apiece," said Raymer told Harness Racing Communications in a 2003 interview. "It was a big adventure. We just wanted to see what we could do with it....We figured if nothing else we’d at least have some fun. We bought a Quick Pick yearling. She made it to the races.

“The next one we got was a $2,000 claimer that made $24,000. You just stand up to the plate, take your swings, and see what happens."

Over the course of his career Raymer took his share of swings and hit his fair share of home runs. He developed and trained many stakes-winning trotters, the richest being Green Day, a $1.3 million winner who captured the 2007 Yonkers Trot and finished third (to 2007 Horse of the Year Donato Hanover) in the Kentucky Futurity final.

"When I bought him, I didn't believe he'd be this good," said Raymer, who paid just $6,000 for Green Day from the 2006 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale as the only bidder on the horse. "If I knew it, other people would have known it too."

He also developed and campaigned the likes of Deanna Troy, Tasha Yar, Scully FBI, Keystone Activator, Nirvana Blue Chip, Freeze Frame, and in 2014, Harley Momma and Wouldntitbesweet.

Jim is survived by his wife Terry; son Tyler (Leigh), who trains horses in partnership with wife Leigh; daughter Amy (Trevor); step-sons AJ Fort and Christopher Fort; and grandsons Zack, Gavin, Rory.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held stateside on Thursday, July 16, at Mahoning Valley Country Club, 323 Country Club Rd., Lehighton, PA 18235; service at noon with lunch to follow. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Canada at a later date.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jim Raymer.

(with files from harnessracing.com and HRC)

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