Former harness racing participant Kenneth Douglas Heinbuch of Listowel, Ont. passed away at his home on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in his 77th year.

Ken was involved in Standardbred racing for many years in various facets of the industry. He drove the starting gate at Cloverdale Raceway in Cloverdale B.C. in the evenings, after jogging and training horses in the morning for Robert Murphy's Red Star Stables. Ken had a small broodmare band, which he operated in British Columbia before moving to Alberta. Ken's breeding operation business went under the name of Rossridge Stables and he was often a leading consignor at the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association Yearling Sale and the British Columbia Standardbred Sale. He bred and raised top horses such as Rossridge Tristar ($252,653), Rossridge Handsome ($222,886), Rossridgeadventure ($140,565) and Rossridge Divine ($164,927).

When Ken moved back to Ontario, he worked for Glenview Livestock, taking care of their broodmares and breeding operation out of his farm in Everton. He loved the Standardbred business and frequented the yearling and mixed sales in Ontario, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, where he provided insight to buyers on pedigrees and conformation. Further, as a professional driver of horse vans, he often drove trucks and trailers for the horse transport business of George Durand Horse Transport, making multiple trips each week to and from the yearling and mixed sales in Lexington, Kentucky and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In the evenings, Ken could frequently be found at the various racetracks in Ontario where he was an ardent handicapper, often coming home with more money in his pockets than when he had started with. 

After Ken retired from the Standardbred business, he worked for Country Mile Bus Lines in Wallenstein, Ont., making many friends and personal connections along the way. Ken loved sports and would often be both the bus driver and the biggest fan of the teams he drove for.

Ken was the beloved spouse of Carol Morris. He is also survived by Carol’s family, Jeff & Jess Morris of Brodhagen and their children Rylin, Camden and Declan, and Todd Morris & Carla Vasquez of St. Davids and their son Oliver.

Also sadly missed by the staff at Country Mile Bus Lines, who were like family to Ken.

A Celebration of Ken's Life will be held at Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., with words of comfort and remembrance at 11 a.m.

Memorial donations to Canadian Diabetes Association would be appreciated by the family.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Ken Heinbuch.