Trot Insider has learned that longtime harness racing industry participants Aurore and Gerard (Gerry) Legault of Amos, Que. passed away in a helicopter crash on Aug. 18, 2024.

The founder and owner of Legault Metal and McMines, Gerry — an accomplished pilot — was reportedly flying a helicopter in northwest Quebec on the night of Aug. 18 with Aurore and grandson Jake Barfield. They had advised relatives that weather conditions were difficult and were forced to land in a wildlife reserve. The helicopter was found submerged in D'Elvert Lake, from where the bodies of Gerry, Aurore and Jake were subsequently recovered.

In the Standardbred industry, Gerry and Aurore owned horses under the stable name of Mc Trade Enterprises Inc. Top horses owned by the Legaults over the years included Andover America (1:51.4, $797,751), Good News Scooter (1:50.3, $378,275), M G Magique (1:53.4, $489,346), M G Ravageur (1:52.2, $276,888), Monsieur Amos (1:56.2, $285,319) and Sudden Fling (1:53.4, $206,421). Good News Scooter stood in Quebec at Fermes Georgette Guillemette along with another stallion co-owned by the Legaults, Cherry Hills.

One of Gerry and Aurore's favourite adventures in harness racing came in 2005, when they attended the 2005 World Trotting Conference in Rome, Italy as an Observer Participant on behalf of Canada. The Conference provided Gerry and Aurore to meet breeding and racing delegates from around the world, and Gerry offered his experiences in breeding and racing to the various committees that were held over the conference.

The departed are survived by Nancy Legault (Patrick), Jessie Barfield, Russell Barfield, Hannah Sherfer, Gary Legault (Genevieve, Logan and Alice), extended family as well as many business partners, close associates, employees and friends.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Aurore & Gerard Legault.