Horseman Jack Leonard, 84, who raced coast-to-coast in the United States and trained the one-time world champion Bandelier, passed away on March 4 in Gainesville, Florida, following a period of ill health.
Born in Decatur, Ill., Leonard became a horseman because it was in his blood. His father, Edgar, was a horseman, as were Edgar's two brothers, Bill and Ted, who both worked as race secretaries.
Jack grew up in Lincoln, Ill., and after working for his father's stable joined the Lincoln Land Farm racing stable. During his tenure with the farm he raced the good trotters Candid Rodney and My Rodney. In 1974, Jack opened his own public stable and although based in Illinois, he raced horses throughout the country.
Jack developed the pacing colt Bandelier and in 1980 the three-year-old – who was a son of Race Time – won stakes at Springfield and Du Quoin. As a four-year-old he captured the American-National Maturity and won in 1:52.4 at Springfield. Later in the year he won in 1:54.4 at Pompano Park, one-fifth of a second off the track record set by Niatross.
Jack spent winters training his stable at Ben White Raceway in Orlando and retired to Alachua, Fla., with his wife, Judy.
"He went to work every day loving what he did," said Jack's son, Ed.
Jack is survived by his wife, Judy; sons, Ed and Tom; daughter, Jill Burns; sister, Mary Howard; and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in Alachua on March 28.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jack Leonard.
(USTA)