Trot Insider has learned that Standardbred owner and horseman Sanford Watt Haskill passed away suddenly at Lakeridge Hospital in Oshawa, Ont. on Sunday, December 25 at the age of 73.

Beloved and loving husband of Helen Anne for 51 years, Sanford will also be missed by his extended family and many friends in the Standardbred racing industry, in the water conservation community, and in the community of Port Hope, where he was active in civic affairs.

In his youth, Sanford was an active sportsman – amateur baseball, semi-professional hockey (Port Hope Spitfires, Ontario Midget finalists 1957 / 1958), track and field (100 metre sprint).

He became involved with the Standardbred racing industry in the late 1970s, as an owner in partnership with his wife, Helen Anne. Sanford brought with him a long standing enjoyment of horses, and over time developed a deep appreciation of the horse as an athlete, and so he remained involved until his much-too-soon passing.

Sanford and Helen Anne owned several horses from the 1970s, predominately with trainers Greg Wade and Vern Cochrane.

Sanford will be always remembered as a good friend, a dedicated conservator of the environment, and an amateur historian with great civic pride in his community who lived his life to the fullest.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 21 (1-4 p.m.) at the Port Hope Recreation Centre, 62 McCaul Street, Port Hope.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Sanford Haskill.