Well known horse racing photographer John E. Jones, 81, passed away November 2, 2013 in Markham, Ont. after a long illness.
Born in Toronto in 1932, Jones’ interest in photography was developed while a student of agriculture at the University of Guelph when he began photographing livestock. His skills at capturing horses in action landed Jones a position with Michael Burns Photography.
For 18 years, Jones worked as a track photographer for the Ontario Jockey Club's family of racetracks throughout the province of Ontario, photographing both thoroughbred and harness racing. He was one of the official track photographers working at Woodbine Racetrack the day Secretariat ran his last race there in October of 1973.
After forming his own company in the late 1970s, Jones became one of the best known photographers of harness horse racing in Canada until his retirement in 1997. His iconic images appeared in every major harness racing publication in Canada and many in the United States, including Hoof Beats magazine. His beautiful black and white action shots taken from the inside rail during the home stretch battle to the wire became his signature.
His photo of Niatross setting a world record time trial of 1:49.1 at the Red Mile in the fall of 1980 brought Jones international attention when John Cashman, then manager of Castleton Farm, used the photo to promote the young stallion.
Please join standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of John Jones.