Trot Insider has learned that blacksmith Jeff MacGowan, who was well known for his work with horses that raced at Mohawk Racetrack, Flamboro Downs and Grand River Raceway, has passed away suddenly.

MacGowan, 58, passed away on Tuesday, March 8 in Hamilton.

After relocating to Southern Ontario with his wife, Jeff became intrigued with Standardbred shoeing. His Grandfather had trained and raced Standardbred horses in Thunder Bay, which is how he met his future wife. Once he learned his name MacGowan meant Blacksmith, he then was hooked. He went to horseshoeing school followed by an apprenticeship with Tim Wilson before striking out on his own.

Over the past 20+ years, Jeff worked for many people shoeing and there was nothing that pleased him more than when his shoeing contributed to a horse winning a race or moving up a class. There was no better compliment to him then when a horse raced well and a trainer would say "the only difference was we had you do the shoeing." He always acknowledged that it was a team endeavour and enjoyed brainstorming with a trainer to get the horse going just right. He shod horses that raced at Hanover, Flamboro, Grand River, Mohawk/Woodbine and Western Fair. He thought of many of his clients as his friends and he would unwind at the end of the day with a cup of coffee talking about this or that horse and how they had raced. Over the years he was the Blacksmith for many fine horses including Peaceful Way.

In 2012, he also started work at Grand River Raceway as a Paddock Blacksmith, and as a Pacecar Driver on race nights. He so enjoyed having people ride in the car, meeting them and seeing their excitement as the horses started the race with the roar of the horses hooves hitting the track behind the car.

In 2015 Jeff returned to his construction roots with his DZ license and began to drive a gravel truck. He drove both the gravel and water truck for Drexler Construction on various job sites. He loved the work and would come home at the end of a long day excited and happy about where he had been. Jeff was looking forward to driving the gravel trucks again this year and upgrading his license to an AZ.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Yvonne, of almost 34 years of marriage, his son Ryan of whom he was so proud, his siblings Rob (Dorothy), Linda (Joe), Wendy (Pat) and Spencer. Also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and step-mother. Predeceased by his infant daughter, Jennifer Anne and his parents Ron and Pearl MacGowan. With his zest for life and humour, his contagious laugh and wonderful smile, he will be so deeply missed. Jeff loved to tell stories and make people laugh. He took so much delight in that. He loved to help people and did so right to the end of his life through Trillium Gift of Life.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon Street, Guelph, on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 from 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. A reception will take place at Grand River Raceway, Elora, at the Lighthouse. A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at a later date in Thunder Bay. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family (cards are available at the funeral home 519-821-5077 or send condolences at gilbertmacintyreandson.com).

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jeff MacGowan.