It is with great sadness that the family of lifelong horseman Leonard Hill announces his passing.
Hill was a lifelong horseman who was born in Manitoba, but had ties to racing from Ontario to British Columbia and as far south as Florida.
As a trainer and driver, Hill raced many horses that had life marks of 2:00 when that actually meant something, including Kentucky Rain, Irish Splendor, Winsday Express and Brents Delivery.
Hill was never afraid to offer advice, and often gave it whether you needed to hear it or not. He was a blacksmith for many years and always had a way of getting a horse off its knees or improve speed.
Hill was a true horseman at heart that will be sadly missed by friends and family. He helped ‘stepson’ Clayton with numerous tips and encouragement. He also wrote a song about being a Standardbred horseman that is still being sung and enjoyed.
Leonard is survived by his son, Brent; grandchildren, Tyler and Jenna; his brothers, John and Jim; and the person who did her best to keep him on the right path for the past many years, Dreda Braybrook (Leonard's favourite campfire song was ‘Good Hearted Woman’).
Leonard never attended a funeral in his life, so there won't be one. He only asked for his ashes to be spread some place warm (he hated the cold!). If you knew him or knew of him, have a glass of orange brandy, or rye, and think of him. That's how he would have wanted it.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Leonard Hill.