Trot Insider has learned that longtime horseman Bill Davis of Langley, B.C. has passed away at the age of 54.
For decades, Davis dominated the harness racing scene on Canada's west coast. Originally from Ontario, Davis made the move west in the early 1980s and earned the nickname 'The Dominator' for his stellar driving and training numbers that earned him multiple training and driving titles at Cloverdale Raceway and Fraser Downs.
Davis was a two-time O'Brien Award winner, receiving the O'Brien Award of Horsemanship in 2003 as the inaugural recipient and again in 2014. That year, Davis rebuilt his stable after losing a number of horses in a barn fire that June.
As a driver, Davis notched 5,477 wins and more than $22 million in purses. As a trainer, Davis won 3,466 races with horses earning in excess of $16 million. He also helped start the career of trainer Casie Coleman, and was instrumental in rushing the young trainer to safety after an explosion set her on fire some 16 years ago.
Davis was also instrumental in the career of son Billy, now a top driver in Ontario.
Bill is also survived by his father William Sr., wife Laurie, daughters Courtney and Megan, brother Dan, and sisters Patsy and Sandy. Predeceased by mother Dorothy.
"On behalf of the family of Bill Davis (The Dominator) we would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and comments at this time. We would like to let you know that we are having a private celebration of life for Bill, for his family and close friends, as this is what he wanted," said Laurie in a statement. "We would also like to thank OHHA for their generous gift of flying Billy Jr., Amy and Liam home to be with the family."
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Bill Davis.
Very sad to hear of Bill
Very sad to hear of Bill passing away...loved watching him "Dominate".
Wonderful, respectful &
Wonderful, respectful & professional person who cared deeply for the horses & the sport of Harness Racing. I pray for you & your family & deeply sorry, I am sure he leaves a hole that will never be filled. <3
So very sad to hear of this
So very sad to hear of this Laurie. My heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. Kim Fairbairn
Huge loss to the Racing
Huge loss to the Racing Community! Bill was a good friend and competitor with incredible talent. Tracy & I wish the family our sincere condolences at this time.
Alan & Tracy MacGillivray
Casa Grande, AZ
Sending heartfelt condolences
Sending heartfelt condolences to Laurie and family with our loving prayers. Rest in Peace Bill... Hettie Buck and Family
To the Davis family We are
To the Davis family
We are very saddened to hear about billy he will always be remembered by our family he was a great horseman and person he will be missed by us all our deepest sympathy for your family god bless RIP billy from Phil and Linda Coleman
So sorry to hear of BIll's
So sorry to hear of BIll's passing. I worked beside him at K D in the late 70's & 80's. He was a good man & horseman. RIP.
Rest in peace Billy :( My
Rest in peace Billy :( My condolences to your family and friends.
The first time I remember
The first time I remember seeing Billy was on the side of a jog cart breaking babies with Doug Perdue. From then on I watched him become the supreme trainer driver we all had to reckon with. I had nothing but the utmost respect for him and his talent. For many years Fraser Downs was known as Davis Downs, the Dominator.
I am simply shocked! Bill
I am simply shocked! Bill raced horses for me under the Last Shot Stable for many
years. Not only was he a great horseman, he was an even better person. Our sincere
condolences to Laurie, Billy Jr. and families.
Sincerely, George Emsland.
I met Bill Davis during my
I met Bill Davis during my first Spring in Edmonton... Always a good guy to talk to and a pleasure to work with. My sincere condolences to Billy Jr. and the rest of the Davis family.
I am seriously at a loss for
I am seriously at a loss for words. Grew up with Bill at KD. And spoke with him not long ago. Condolences to the family I am very very sorry for your loss.
Shocked...Great Horsemen and
Shocked...Great Horsemen and Great Man...Rememeber his start in Peterborough....So sad..My condolences to the Davis family..
I had the honour of working
I had the honour of working for Bill eight years ago. And to this day I still speak of him often and in quite high regard. He is the greatest horseman I ever had the privilege to be around. I was completely devastated to learn that my mentor and hero had passed. My thoughts go out to his family. His wife Laurie, his two daughters Courtney and Megan and of course his son Billy Davis Jr. I'm so very sorry for your loss. He was a great Horsman and a wonderful man and will be truly missed. Rest in peace Bill.
Deepest sympathy to the Davis
Deepest sympathy to the Davis family. Bill was an accomplished driver/trainer and will be greatly missed by the racing community.
I am very sorry to hear of
I am very sorry to hear of Bill's passing at such a young age. My condolences to Bill's family. RIP.
Horrible Loss. Sad Sad Sad
Horrible Loss. Sad Sad Sad news. Deepest condolences to the family. So very sorry. Seka Zaba and family.
Very sad day in harness
Very sad day in harness racing. Deepest sympathy to Billy Davis Jr. and
the Davis family.
Very sorry to hear this.
Very sorry to hear this. Condolences to Billy Jr. and family
Incredibly sad and unexpected
Incredibly sad and unexpected news. Bill was an incredibly accomplished horsemen who will be missed dearly by the racing community. My condolences go out to all his family and friends. RIP Bill.
RIP to a wonderful man.
RIP to a wonderful man. Condolences to his family and friends :(
Can't believe hearing this!
Can't believe hearing this! Our thoughts & prayers for the Davis family
Chuck Ibey
Unbelievable. I am saddened
Unbelievable.
I am saddened by this news. Gone way too soon. I will miss my friend, Bill (The DOMINATOR) Davis. May you rest in peace.
Rick Uppal
sorry to hear this sad news.
sorry to hear this sad news. My heart goes out to the Davis family. RIP Bill you will be missed.
I am shaken by this news. My
I am shaken by this news. My condolences to all. RIP - Bill - You were the best in the West - You won't be fogetten. :(
Very young. Condolences to
Very young. Condolences to Billy Jr and family.
Truly shocked and saddened by
Truly shocked and saddened by this news. My sincerest condolences to Bill's family and his many friends. RIP Bill.
I was shocked to see this and
I was shocked to see this and I am so very sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. RIP Bill Davis gone way to soon!!