Longtime harness racing industry participant Derek Gilbert passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Jan. 27, 2026, at the age of 51.
Derek was born on March 22, 1974, in Brandon, Man. He attended Meadows Elementary School, Earl Oxford Junior High, and Crocus Plains High School. He later attended Assiniboine Community College, where he studied welding.
Derek worked for 27 years at Zenith Paving before choosing to work full-time on the family farm, where he cared for the horses, ran a hay business and assisted with the family trucking business. A true horseman, Derek was deeply involved in the racing community and was a member of the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association and the Manitoba Harness Racing Association. He owned and raced many exceptional horses, most recently Stash The Cookies. Derek showed hackney ponies in Canada and the U.S. His two favourites were the French Connection and CW Outlaw.
Derek was a member of the RM of Cornwallis police department, served as a director for the Manitoba Provincial Exhibition and volunteered for the Cornwallis Seniors Supper.
Sports were a lifelong passion for Derek. He loved hockey and played on numerous teams over the years, including the Neepawa Natives, Weyburn Red Wings, Brandon Stingers, Elkhorn, Boissevain Border Kings, Oaklake Icemen and Sioux Valley. He also enjoyed golfing and playing baseball and was known for the first grand slam home run at Andrews Field.
Derek had a deep love for animals, especially his two cats, Monster and Bella. Known affectionately as "Turk," Derek was a friend to everyone and would do anything for anyone who asked. His kindness, generosity, and easygoing nature will be remembered by all who knew him.
Derek is survived by his loving parents, Fred and Alice Gilbert; his sister Wendy (Chad) Armstrong; his nephews Trace (Dawn) and Parker Armstrong; and his great-nephew Beau.
A celebration of Derek's life will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at 2 p.m. at the Victoria Inn-Imperial Ballroom, 3550 Victoria Ave, Brandon, with a light luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Derek may be made to Funds for Furry Friends, 740 Rosser Ave Suite 208, Brandon, Man., R7A 0K9 or to the Brandon Humane Society, 2200-17th Street East, Brandon, Man., R7A 7M6.
Derek will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Derek Gilbert.
My sincere condolences...
My sincere condolences to Alice and Fred, the rest of the family and Derek's many friends. I got to know 'Turk' and his family, over the years, through Alberta harness racing and he was always such an upbeat personality involved in the industry. He will indeed be missed by all who knew and loved him...