Russell “R.J” Bennett, a extensively profitable proprietor and breeder in British Columbia and a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Corridor of Fame along with his spouse, Lois, has died. He was 94.
Together with Lois, Russ Bennett, concerned in Thoroughbred racing for the reason that Nineteen Fifties, lengthy dominated the breeder standings in British Columbia. Their racing secure equally excelled, leading to graded stakes victories from Lord Nelson, Majesticality , and Touching Promise for the reason that flip of the century. All three homebreds scored their graded stakes victories at Hastings Racecourse, with Lord Nelson and Touching Promise respectively profitable back-to-back renewals of the 2002-03 Lieutenant Governors’ Handicap (G3) and 2014-15 Ballerina Stakes (G3).
Years earlier than, R.J. Bennett campaigned Travelling Victor, who made historical past in 1983 when he turned the primary horse not campaigned in Ontario to win Horse of the Yr honors in Canada. He additionally gained a Sovereign Award that yr within the older horse class, and the R.J. Bennett took dwelling a Sovereign award as breeder of the yr in 1983.
A member of The Jockey Membership of Canada for nearly 40 years, R.J. Bennett and Lois Bennett have been inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Corridor of Fame in 2007. In 2016, they obtained the celebrated E. P. Taylor Award of Advantage.
The yr earlier than, Touching Promise was named Horse of the Yr and champion older mare in British Columbia, when the Bennetts additionally notched main breeder and proprietor titles there—common occurrences for the couple.
At the moment, they owned greater than 40 broodmares and maintained a inhabitants of greater than 100 Thoroughbreds at their Flying Horse Farm on the shores of Okanagan Lake in Westbank, British Columbia. Not Bourbon at the moment stands there.
The Bennetts are credited with breeding and campaigning hundreds of horses, supporting the British Columbia equine business. R.J. Bennett served as president of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (B.C. Division) from 1991-94.
Different prime runners for the Bennetts included Brandy Magic, Skovinsky, Historic Satan, Tasty Victory, Supberly Sincere, Darcia, Travelling Spherical, Simple Triumph, Hurried Romance, Billy Blue, Vigorous Lord, and At all times a Dixie.
David Milburn, president of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protecting Affiliation of British Columbia, instructed Nigel Reid of Horseracing BC that “R.J.’s contribution to racing and breeding all through our province is unlikely ever to be equaled, both in longevity or impression.”
R.J. Bennett is survived by Lois Bennett and grownup youngsters and will probably be remembered for his contributions to horse racing and breeding.
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