Standardbred owner, trainer and breeder Jan Nofsinger of Warsaw, Virginia passed away at her home on Oct. 26, 2022 at the age of 67.

She was predeceased by her parents, James Lawrence and Dorris Scott Simon. She is survived by her daughter, Olivia Nofsinger; son, Rory Nofsinger; and her significant other, William (Billy) Dobyns.

Jan was born May 16, 1955 in Tappahannock, Virginia. She was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Virginia Harness Horse Association and the Maryland and Delaware Racing Commission as a registered owner and trainer. 

She owned horses for decades and officially trained from 1999-2017. The first horse she ever owned was Pecatone, who competed from 1978-1983 and accumulated 21 wins and $89,864 in purse money.

As a trainer, she had 45 wins, 59 seconds and 73 thirds from 560 starts. Her last training win came with Swanky at Rosecroft in 2012 and her most recent start as a conditioner was in September 2017 when she took third with pacer One Proud Diamond, who she also bred, in a $43,775 Virginia Breeders Championship at Shenandoah Downs.   

Among the better horses under her tutelage was Clydes Martini, who she conditioned from 2000-2002. Jan reached the winner's circle with the son of Bonnie and Clyde at Rosecroft and in her home state of Virginia at Colonial Downs and Oak Ridge Racecourse.  

Most recently, Nantucket Breeze, a two-year-old filly pacer she bred, took to the Shenandoah oval in Woodstock and finished fifth Oct. 29 in a Virginia Breeder's elimination. The Roger Plante-owned filly preceded that with respective fifth and third-place finishes.           

Jan will be remembered for her dedication to her family and her love of horses, particularly her love of harness racing, which she dedicated many years of her life to.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 7 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Tappahannock, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Virginia Harness Horse Association, P.O. Box 1603, Saluda Virginia 23149.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jan Nofsinger.