Trot Insider has learned that Liberty Dancer, 30, who made his name known across the Ontario racing scene during his 421-race career, passed away on Tuesday, June 9 from natural causes.
The gelded son of Armbro Cadet ground his way to 55 wins, 79 second-place finishes and 71 thirds over the course of his career. The bay was able to stash away $346,509 in purses overall and lowered his mark to 1:54.3 over Kawartha Downs at the age of 12.
A great deal of Liberty Dancer's starts came for trainer Art Balson, who was the conditioner of record when the veteran was retired in the fall of 2004 at the age of 14.
Art and Wendy Balson kept Liberty Dancer as a pet for the duration of his retired life.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Liberty Dancer.
Sad to hear. He was a
Sad to hear. He was a creature on the track and a gentleman off the track. Had the pleasure of working with this horse. He was an iron horse in every which way on the track. I am glad to hear he had a great life to the end, it was well earned. We called him Stanley when we had him, he was one of the nicest horses I’ve been around in the 25 years I’ve been working with the horses. Condolences from Clinton.
One of my all time
One of my all time favourites. Sad to hear of 'Manny’s passing. A special animal who will never be forgotten. So wonderful of the Balsdons to cherish him to end!
Fran & Fred Brethour
Had time to look over his
Had time to look over his lifetime starts and all I can say is WOW !! That horse has been everywhere From many Fair Tracks in Michigan as a young horse to Fairmont Park and on to Ontario where he raced at all of them. I remember when Mario Baillargeon had a hot hand with Dancer at WEG winning 3 or 4 starts with him. The model of the Standardbred a hard working horse who gives his all. It was nice he had caring people to give him a home to live out his years, he certainly deserved it.....you are wonderful people