Quebec has lost one of its most colourful and enthusiastic Standardbred owners.
Giordano (Gordon) Pupil, 77, died of cancer last week. Friends can join the family in remembrance Saturday, Sept. 19, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Mausolee St-Martin in Laval.
Pupil owned a number of racehorses, most notably millionaire trotter Georgia Limited, who represented Canada in the 1998 Elitlopp in Sweden and finished second to Moni Maker at odds of 55-1.
The Montreal businessman also was an active amateur driver and a fixture for years at Blue Bonnets racetrack.
"He was a special guy, a stalwart in our industry. He loved the game more than anybody," said Rick Karper, who served with Pupil on the board of the provincial horsemen`s association.
Daniel Plouffe, a longtime friend and fellow amateur driver, dedicated the victory of his star thoroughbred Clayton in the Plate Trial Stakes at Woodbine last weekend to Pupil. His friend had been with him when his hall-of-fame pacer Blissfull Hall won the Little Brown Jug.
"We dined together in Florida over the winter and talked in May. He was in good spirits," said Plouffe. "He was such a happy, sociable guy. And he loved racing, loved to bet. Whenever your horses did well, you'd hear from him. He followed everyone's horses."
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Gordon Pupil.
(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean)
I was saddened to hear of Mr.
I was saddened to hear of Mr. Pupil's passing. Every year for the last several years, I made it a point to wish him a Happy Birthday. He was always joyful and loved the horses, he also loved my son Steve who work for Bernie Livernoche when Gordon had horses with him. R.I.P. Mr. Pupil.