Former racehorse owner David Brooks has reportedly passed away in Connecticut at the age of 61.

Brooks, who was serving a 17-year prison sentence for securities fraud, had just been moved from a federal prison in Florida days prior. He requested a transfer in order to be closer to his family situated in the New York area.

According to his appeals attorney Richard Klugh, Brooks took ill on Thursday and was transported to hospital. There were no pre-existing health conditions that appeared to be at the root of the illness, and a cause of death has yet to be released but the prison is expected to issue a report.

“It was sudden and unexpected,” Klugh told Newsday. “I do have some concerns that his medications were changed and whether that precipitated what happened.”

Brooks was connected to a number of prominent horses that raced under the Perfect World Enterprises stable, including 2004 Breeders Crown winner Western Terror.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of David H. Brooks.