Driver Tim Curtin, who has been a fixture on the Illinois circuit for many years, passed away last night (Tuesday, June 11) at the age of 61.

Curtin, who is currently tied for second in the driver standings at Hawthorne with 23 wins on the meet, had an illustrious career that spanned back into the late 1970s.

Curtin drove home 3,245 horses to victory during his 40-year career, one which saw him steer his charges to $22,749,563 in purse earnings. Curtin also trained another 30 winners in that time span, as well.

Curtin’s best year for victories came in 1997 when he drove 219 winners on the year. He had a career year for earnings in 2008 with $1,900,785. In 2019, Curtin had been the regular driver for top Illinois-bred Meyer On Fire, along with Jazzie Babe, a winner of four of her first five starts to open her career.

Tim’s son, Pat, had driven and trained in Illinois for many years as well.

A moment of silence will be held in Tim’s memory prior to the start of races on Friday evening at Hawthorne.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Tim Curtin.

(Hawthorne Race Course)