Tim Stanley Passes

After a prolonged illness, it is with great sadness that the family of Tim Stanley announces his passing at the age of 69.

Stanley slipped into the arms of our Lord on Sunday, December 22, 2019 at The Monfort Hospital in Ottawa, Ont.

Tim is survived by his mother (99), wife Diane, sister Dawn and best friend/niece Jenna.

Tim's history and roots run long and deep in our industry. His career started as a groom and caretaker in notable stables like that of Ross ‘The Cowboy’ Curran and many more. After some years passed, Tim forged out a stable of his own and achieved greatness in the early 1990s with horses like Advance Attack p154.2, earning $452,206.00 lifetime – a huge splash in the industry in his day – and successfully competed against some of the era's toughest trainers and pacers. Tim also campaigned notable horses like Gypsy Hellion p155.1 earning some $358,690 lifetime along with Rebellious Gypsy, both top end performers in their respective classes and overnight events. Regardless of the classes that Tim's steeds raced in, he treated all his ‘furr friends’ with the care, dignity and respect they deserved. To include one of his most special ‘furr friend’ Zoe.

When health dictated Tim's retirement from his training and sometimes driving career, he was able to forge out a new career in our industry as a race secretary. Tim had the talent, knack and ability to put together extremely competitive race cards, all the while maintaining and cultivating nothing but the best of relationships with all the owners, trainers and drivers involved during his tenure, which is a hard act to follow in our industry. Tim was firm but fair. As a result of his long-term friendships with some of racing’s elite, both here and abroad, Tim was able to draw on some of North America's top talent to compete repeatedly in some feature races like Ottawa's Des Smith Classic and the Frank Ryan Memorial Trot, to name just a few. His special events and series were most often exploding with talent from far outside the region. He never fully retired from racing and always kept a keen interest in racing, even if it was just handicapping some race cards for fun.

Tim's latter years were quiet and consumed with family and friends. The time that so many of us are not afforded too often in the racing industry. His special lady and the love of his life, Diane, had a profound impact on Tim's renewed interests in life outside of horse racing. Travel and family time where definitely on the menu.

He was a huge believer in the next generation and was a great supporter of young talent, regardless if the talent was four-legged or two-legged. He will be sadly missed by his niece Jenna. Tim never missed an opportunity to spend time with Jenna and never missed an opportunity to promote her gift as a talented vocalist.

His larger than life presence was exceeded only by his ‘Secretariat-sized’ heart. Regardless of the circumstance, Tim could never say ‘no.’ He helped out everyone, in any capacity, regardless if he could or not, even if it was just a kind word or two. His tremendous laugh and smile will live on forever in so many of us. Racing has lost one of our greatest teddy bears. Godspeed your soul to rest, Tim.

The funeral service for Tim Stanley will be held Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Racine, Robert, Gauthier (Dignity) Funeral Home at 180 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Ont. The service will start at 11 a.m. and the family will receive condolences between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Tim Stanley.