The family of late horseman Mark Austin, who passed away September 14 at Flamboro Downs, has taken the time to thank the horse racing community for its outpouring of support.

Austin, one of Ontario's most popular and successful trainers, passed away at the age of 54.

Details have been announced for an upcoming tribute night for Keith and Ron Waples, which will serve as a fundraiser for the educational funds for Mark’s daughters, Paige and Paula.

The event will be held on Wednesday, October 29 at Mohawk Racetrack, with doors opening at 5 p.m., buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. with the tribute portion to follow dinner. Tickets are $50 each with tables of eight available for $400. To order tickets, or donate an item to the auction or the fundraiser, please contact Jack Darling ([email protected] - 519-653-2698), Ian Fleming ([email protected] - 519-482-5270) or Bill O’Donnell ([email protected] - 905-854-2672).

An online and onsite silent auction will be held. The online auction will begin on Monday, October 20 at noon and close the following Monday, October 27 at 7 p.m. All funds raised will go to the education fund.

For complete information on the tribute night, including the list of top-shelf auction items, click here.

The message of thanks from Julie Austin, Paige Austin, and Paula Austin appears below.

On September 14th our lives were changed forever, our hearts are completely broken. The many offers of help on the farm and visits, gifts of food, flowers, cards, and the sharing of memories were of great comfort. Thank you to everyone for your outpouring of love and support. We will never forget all the kindness we were shown in our time of need. We are so proud to call ourselves horsemen. See you at the races.

Love Mark's girls,

Julie, Paige and Paula

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