Mark Austin, one of Ontario's most popular and successful trainers, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 14 at the age of 54.

Hailing from South-Western Ontario, Austin was introduced to harness racing by his uncle, Bud, and got into the sport full-time after high school. One of his earliest brushes with greatness came courtesy Oldcastle, Ontario's Dr. Joe Johnston, who gave Austin a yearling to break in 1988. That homebred Worthy Bowl colt would later be turned over to trainer Bud Fritz, and go on to never lose a race on North American soil: A Worthy Lad.

Austin would later work for trainer Jack Darling in the mid- to late 1990s during a run that produced the likes of Gothic Dream and Northern Luck. Shortly after that stretch working with Darling, Austin made the move with wife Julie from a Windsor-based stable to the Fergus area.

During the 2000s Austin's stable was consistent and solid; his earnings never dipped below $200,000. In 2009 his earnings surpassed $800,000 thanks to the likes of older pacers Go Get Her, Part Shark and XLB Patrick.

The two horses that more recently made headlines for Austin were Sparky Mark and Fool Me Once. Sparky Mark enjoyed a stellar run at Woodbine's top class from the end of 2011 into 2013, winning multiple Preferred events and earnings a spot in the 2012 Canadian Pacing Derby final.

Fool Me Once was one of 2013's top three-year-old pacers, knocking heads with the likes of Captaintreacherous, Vegas Vacation and Sunshine Beach throughout the season. Austin selected the son of Art Major as a yearling, and he's won 16 races from 38 starts at the highest levels with multiple sub-1:49 wins. His lifetime best 1:48.1 came in his 2013 Pepsi North America Cup elimination.

(L-R: Dan Smith, Julie Austin, Fool Me Once, Mark Austin, Paige Austin, Sylvain Filion, Paula Austin.
Photo credit, New Image Media)

Mark was racing horses on Sunday at Flamboro Downs, where he passed away.

"It's just devastating," Darling told Trot Insider on Monday morning. "We've been friends for years...Mark was a hard worker who loved the business."

Mark will be tremendously missed by the love of his life Julie Ann (Davis) and his loving daughters Paige and Paula and daughter Marcie. Beloved son of Thomas E. and Aileen Austin and loving brother of Tim (Debbie), Perry and Kelly Klinard (Dan). Lovingly remembered by his mother in law Rose Davis, brother-in-law Stephen and his wife Cynthia and very special uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home & Chapel, 280 St. David St. South, Fergus on Wednesday, September 17 from 3 to 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 760 St. David St. North, Fergus on Thursday, September 18 at 11 a.m. Interment at St. Joseph - St. Mary Catholic Church in Elora. Memorial donations can be directed to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Those wishing to make online condolences can do so by clicking here.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Mark Austin.