Trot Insider has learned that Earl Of Brant, a career winner 22 races and $500,000 competing among the top trotting ranks in Ontario, passed away on Aug. 23, 2023 at the age of 26.
Earl Of Brant, who was more affectionately known as 'Buddy' in the stable of Warren Ozinga, was a $5,500 yearling from the Canadian Classic Sale and in return made $503,718 throughout his career. A Preferred/Free-For-All trotter on the Woodbine circuit in the early 2000s, the Earl-Armbro Lore gelding was a horse that got better with age and took his lifetime mark of 1:54.1 at 10 years old.
Earl Of Brant retired in 2009 at the age of 12 with a career record reading 22-24-29 from 164 starts for owners Robert L. & Robert J. Peel of London, Ont., and Ella Marie Ozinga of Rodney, Ont. He spent his retirement years on the Ozingas' farm in Rodney, Ont.
"'Buddy' was a fierce competitor but also the sweetest horse who will be missed," co-owner Ella Ozinga told Trot Insider.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Earl Of Brant.