Former trainer Donald Farris Galbraith passed away on December 12 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Saint John, N.B., at the age of 81.
Born on January 12, 1940 in Saint John, he was a son of the late John F. and Irma (Farris) Galbraith.
“Donnie” had an accomplished career as a Standardbred (harness) horse trainer, developing dozens of top-class racehorses, stakes winners and champions. He was widely recognized and respected as one of the region’s top trainers.
As a young man, he learned his first lessons in horsemanship from the late Currie Wood in Saint John, and then from Hall of Fame trainer/driver Dick Buxton and New Brunswick’s Tom Scovil while working in the United States. He absorbed the lessons learned from these top horsemen, and they had a lasting impact on the rest of his career.
Returning to Saint John after two years in the U.S., he established his own stable at Exhibition Park in 1962. Donnie kept an immaculate barn, his horses were well looked after, and always competitive.
Through his career, he developed deep and long-lasting relationships with a small number of owners, most notably Gerry Lowe’s Gemini Hills Stable, Don and Willard Jenkins and Hughie Fitzpatrick. He developed many top horses for his owners, but more importantly, friendships which lasted for decades.
Donnie won nearly every Maritime stakes race on multiple occasions, along with many of the region’s Invitational and Free-For-All races, with many track record performances. Celebrated as “Trainer of the Year” many times at his home racetracks, he was twice nominated on the national level as Canada’s “Trainer of the Year” for his commitment to excellence and expertise in selecting, and then developing, young horses into top performers.
A modest man, he was always quick to attribute his success to the owners who entrusted him with good horses, along with the skill and hard work of the grooms and drivers who worked for him.
Some of his notable performers over the years were Gemini Risk, Courtney Bay, Utas Smokey, Gemini Gazelle, Dexters Lion, Gemini Jewel, Keen Andy, Rapid Bye Bye, Harolds Son, Medina Lobell and June Jackson, along with many others too numerous to mention.
Beloved husband of 56 years to Carol (Anderson). In addition to his wife Carol, Don is survived by his children, Ross (Krista) and Greg (Shawn); and his grandchildren, James Galbraith, John Galbraith, Ashley (Ian) Morrison, Alex Galbraith and Caitlyn Galbraith; as well as several nieces, nephews and friends.
Besides his parents, Don was predeceased by brothers Robert, Edmond, John and Everett.
The family would like to thank the staff of St. Joseph’s CAM Unit (fifth floor) for their compassion and care of Don. Your kindness will not be forgotten.
Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). In keeping with his wishes, a private interment has taken place in Ocean View Memorial Gardens. For those who wish, remembrances to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, Alzheimer Society or Diabetes Society would be appreciated by the family. Please place online condolences and remembrances at BrenansFH.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Don Galbraith.