Trot Insider has learned that Canadian Hall of Fame horseman William 'Bud' Fritz of Walkerton, Ont. passed away peacefully at McVean Lodge, Hanover on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at the age of 86.
Beloved husband of the late Ethel Fritz (nee Borth). Loving father of Marilyn (Allan) Zettler, Laurie (Roy) Trelford, Margie (Mike Sawyer), Terry (Alis Wilson), Brad (Anita), Cheryl (Brad) Colvin, Susie (Gregg) McNair, Randy (Leslie) and Dale (Lisa). Proud grandfather of Lisa, Laura, Matthew, Kelly, Jennifer, Sarah, Ashley, Brandon, Taylor, Ashton, Lexie, Ryan, Candace, Kayla, Jenna, Mackenzie, William, Randall, Monica and Courtney and great grandfather of Isabella, Austin, Cadyn, Mikayla, Owen, Madison, Zayden, Jackson, Jordyn and Cappella. Dear brother of Julie Hartman, Ruby Birr, Maxine Bucholtz (Hammy Hamilton), Shirley Russell and Larry Fritz.
Bud was predeceased by his parents, Elmer and Wilhelmine (nee Little) Fritz, brothers-in-law Clendon Hartman, Gordon Birr, William Bucholtz, Warren Russell and sister-in-law Joan Fritz.
There was a time in the 1980s and early 1990s that the name of William "Bud" Fritz was synonymous with harness racing in Ontario. The Fritz stable came as close to dominating the province’s sires stakes program as any single operation ever has. In 1949, the Walkerton, Ont. horseman began his driving career at Elmira Raceway. Since that time, he has captured driving titles at Hanover, Orangeville, Western Fair, Elmira and Owen Sound Raceways. His career statistics as a driver show that he won 1,982 races to go along with purse winnings of more than $10.1 million.
Fritz has enjoyed some tremendous years as a trainer and driver, but none could compare with 1990 when Fritz trained a great pacer and a sensational trotter. Fritz trained and drove the three-year-old pacing colt Apaches Fame to numerous victories that year. But without question, one of the most memorable achievements for Fritz came when he guided the hometown favourite to a stunning victory in the $1 million North America Cup, Canada’s richest harness race, before a near capacity crowd at Toronto’s Greenwood Raceway.
Apaches Fame, who would later be inducted into Canada’s Horse Racing Hall of Fame, would go on to win many more major events including the Burlington Stakes, the Confederation Cup and the Provincial Cup. The colt finished his season with $1.1 million in earnings. That same year, Fritz trained and drove A Worthy Lad to a victory in the Canadian Trotting Classic, one of 30 straight wins that the son of Worthy Bowl would enjoy before being exported to Sweden. These two star performers earned national honours for their respective divisions and gave Fritz his third O’Brien Award title as Canada’s Horseman of the Year in 1990 to go along with that honour in 1986 and 1989. Fritz also received an O’Brien in 1990 as Canada’s Trainer of the Year.
Other noteworthy performers that emerged from the Fritz stable and contributed to his 1,068 victories and more than $8.1 million in purse earnings included Silver Reign, Annie Ivy, Misty Silver, Tommys Becky, Queens Arms, Silver Wraith and Halos Girl.
Fritz was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2001.
In 2020, Hanover Raceway named its Rising Star Award after the respected horseman whose burgundy and white colours were a familiar sight at the track for more than 40 years.
Friends and family may visit from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27 at Cameron’s, Walkerton. To register for visitation, please use RSVP through Bud’s memorial page at cameronfuneralhomes.com. Proof of Vaccination is not required, masks are mandatory.
A private family service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. at Cameron’s, Walkerton. Ann Maycock officiating. A livestream will be available to the public through Bud’s memorial page.
Interment in Hanover Cemetery, Hanover.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences and donations may be made through cameronfuneralhomes.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Bud Fritz.
(With files from the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame)
I had the privilege of…
I had the privilege of meeting Bud Fritz in the late sixties in Hanover with my Dad when he was starting his judges career.
Bud could come across as a tough ass to deal with which gave my father a challenge to learn how to deal with horseman in a constructive manner. As it developed mutual respect was built between both of them.
Bud you were an inspiration to my Dad, and so many other people, shaping their loves and careers including your own successful great family.
As a horseman to me you were beyond great! The imprint you left on Ontario racing and the O.S.S program has beeb invaluable. Thank you.
So on behalf of my father Arnold, rest in peace old friend, and thanks for the good times.
Sincerely, Gerry Belore.
Our Condolences to the Fritz…
Our Condolences to the Fritz Family. We were fond of Bud and considered him a friend. We always looked forward to our little visits at the Yearling Sales. A man of few words but would talk with that twinkle in his eye. He was an amazing and knowledgeable Trainer and Horseman. RIP Bud. Sincerely Dave and Mary Lemon
My deepest condolences to…
My deepest condolences to the Fritz family. I groomed at Greenwood and Western Fair for Mr. Fritz. You could never ask for a better driver/trainer than "Bud" whenever he had a winner a grooms tip was really appreciated.
I have fond memories of my…
I have fond memories of my early years as a veterinarian in Ontario working for Bud and the Fritz family at the home farm in Hanover, and sitting around for a few laughs over a cider afterwards. Bud was a great horseman, a great man and I want to convey my sincerest condolences to the Fritz family
My condolences to the Fritz…
My condolences to the Fritz family. RIP Bud
My recollections of Bud and…
My recollections of Bud and his great horses go back even further to the early 70's with a top open mare named 'Brenda Hat' He would ship her in to Western Fair Raceway on a Saturday afternoon to race against the boys in the preferred and quite often beat them. My condolences to the whole family.
A great Trainer/Driver that…
A great Trainer/Driver that deserves all the accolades he gets. Raced against his horses many times with Spring Mint, Seet Impression, Able Baron, Ideal Wilco, Looker, etc. Won some, lost some but always appreciated Bud's ability. Doug, Wheeling By Stables.
Respect, admiration and…
Respect, admiration and likeable are words that fit Bud Fritz. Respect, because he raced horses the way they should be raced. He never gave an inch on the track nor he expect an inch. When Bud was in a race his goal was to win, fairly, squarely by the rules but to win. Admiration, because Bud would take yearlings, many of whom were not exactly fashionably bred and turned them into champions. He was, without a doubt one of the finest trainers of young horses that Canadian harness horse racing has ever witnessed. Likeable, unless of course you were in a race with him. Bud Fritz was a fierce competitor as anyone who ever lined up behind the starting gate can attest. My nickname for him was 'Bubbly Bud'....it was a misnomer of course because he was far from bubbly during a race. He meant business, that was Bud and you had to love him for that! But I liked, I really liked the man.
On a personal note, years ago I invited Bud to be a driver in the ice races on the Ottawa River during the Pembroke Winter Carnival. He generously accepted and the other drivers were thrilled to have the legendary Bud Fritz there. It was a fun day so when we wheeled behind the starting gate I smiled at Bud and wished him luck ....he glared at me, growled something or other and away we went. Naturally, Bud won the race and also captured the trophy as top driver for the day.
On behalf of myself and the Clouthier family I offer sincere condolences to Bud's family, especially his sons who followed their Dad into the business and most definitely his daughter Suzie who inherited Bud's love of horses and her mother Ethel's smile.
RIP my friend, thank you for the memories and thank you for everything you did for horse racing. A Hall of Fame member indeed!
I lived in Hanover (directly…
I lived in Hanover (directly across the street from the raceway) for a couple of years in the 50's and that is where I got bitten. At least 25 times in recent years my favourite weekend was a day at Hanover, then Clinton, which always meant driving through Walkerton, so I know HIS neighborhood very, very well. Glad to have his autograph among many.
What a sad day! To the whole…
What a sad day! To the whole wonderful Fritz family I am so sorry for your loss of this amazing man. He absolutely ruled the O.S.S back in the day. I'm sure people will agree, probably the toughest to drive against. It was like trying to get around a defenseman on the track. Year after year he brought impeccable looking horses to the track. Bud may be gone, but will never ever be forgotten. Rest in peace Mr O.S.S.
condolences to the entire…
condolences to the entire Fritz family, it would take all day to name them all, all true horsemen, women, like Bud. Bud and family trained for me for years with great success but I sent a pink halter for a black filly once. Bud, of few words, had some that day. I didn't do it again, lol. RIP