Trot Insider has learned that longtime horseman Ralph Cameron "Cam" Smith passed away on November 9 in West Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Grimsby, Ontario

. He was 81.

Smith trained, drove and owned standardbreds for several decades. He raced at a number of tracks throughout Southern Ontario and New York. He also worked in Michigan and Florida.

After retiring from active training and driving in 1990, he and his partners for developed and sold the innovative line of Flasher protective and poultice boots which were designed for use with all breeds of horses. While working with CRAG Equine Inc., he traveled extensively and consulted with trainers and drivers in Ontario, New York and Pennsylvania. He often did therapeutic and chiropractic work on horses.

He suffered a stroke in 1999 and his wife Marie carried on the business until it was sold to Wilson’s Tack. The stroke did not dim his interest in harness racing and he stayed in touch with a number of friends in the industry and followed the races keenly.

He was predeceased by his son Guy, who was also involved in the harness racing business for many years, and is survived by his wife Marie and son Greg.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Ralph Cameron “Cam” Smith.