Junior West Passes

Junior West, a well-known horseman in Ontario for many decades, passed away peacefully in his 91st year on May 12, 2020 at home with his wife of 69 years, Nancy, by his side.

Before his love for horses hockey was a West family affair. Junior was a very talented and passionate hockey player, and even played for the City of Peterborough.

Junior bought his first horse in 1959. He drove and trained Standardbred horses and was well known at Morrow Park, Orono Raceway, Kawartha Downs, and he also made appearances on the Ontario Jockey Club.

He last raced at his home track of Kawartha Downs in 2018, when he was a mere 88. During the 2016 season he enjoyed some success with the Mister Big gelding JRs Big Buddy. On June 25 of that year the horse was victorious at Kawartha Downs.

Nick Boyd, one of Kawartha's top drivers for many years, was West’s choice to drive the pacer. When the then 32-year-old came into the winner’s circle he told the then 87-year-old West: “I drove him just like you told me, young fella.”

Boyd has fond memories of Junior. "Life, seemingly even more in horse racing, has funny ways of coming full circle. As a kid, I saw pictures on the walls at my grandparents' house of Junior driving our family's homebreds to numerous wins. Years later I had the privilege to drive and win with the last horse Junior owned and trained (JRs Big Buddy).

"He was quirky, set in his ways and stubborn, but he had a way of making everyone along the rail and in the barns, laugh. Not even age stopped him from coming to the track. His is certainly a face I will miss seeing at the track," said Boyd with respect.

JRs Big Buddy provided West with his final lifetime win as a trainer later that year when Gord Brown guided him to a 1:57.3 victory. For Brown, who was the leading driver at the Fraserville oval for many years, it was his second last victory at his hometown track. The October 1st race night was Gord’s final one as an active driver and he scored two wins on the card, first with JRs Big Buddy, and fittingly in the last race on the night.

West, who hailed from a family of Standardbred horsemen, also raced Big Treat, another Mister Big offspring, in recent years. The horse enjoyed some success on the WEG circuit including winning a race in October of 2014 by more than eight lengths for driver Mike Saftic.

Junior also was a talented driver, racing primarily at Kawartha and Greenwood with his last start coming in 1987. In total he notched 355 career wins with many more likely not officially registered.

A recent story in West’s hometown paper, The Orono Weekly Times, called him “a legend in this town. He has played hockey, baseball and owned about 40 Standardbred horses.”

Junior loved to go to the track just to socialize with everyone. There wasn't anyone that Junior wouldn't talk to. His smile, sense of humour, and kind nature will be greatly missed by everyone.

Junior is survived by his son Steve, daughter Marilyn, grand-daughters Holly, Summer, & Jennelle, great grand-daughters Taylor, Brooklyn & Rylan.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Junior West.