Larry Staley Passes

Lifelong horseman Larry Staley passed away suddenly last night (Wednesday, June 27), just hours after his two-year-old trotting colt, Gunpowder River, contested his first career start in a Gold Series elimination at Flamboro Downs.

Staley was a driver, trainer and breeder for his whole adult life. While he competed across the province, he raced primarily at Kingston Park, Rideau Carleton Raceway, Quinte Racetrack, Kawartha Downs and Hippodrome d’Aylmer.

Some of Staley’s better horses include homebreds Bossatross, Cool Donna, Hockey and Harbor Lincoln. His trotting mare, Kawartha Rhapsody once held a track record at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

He leaves behind two sons, Ryan, 35, and Randy, 30, one daughter, Tiffanee, 34 and her partner, fellow harness racing driver, Denis St. Pierre. He will also be missed by their mother, Angie.

Tiffanee Staley currently trains and owns horses, and is the trainer of Gunpowder River, who finished fifth in yesterday’s race at Flamboro.

It was following the race, after Larry had dropped off Gunpowder River in Kingston, when his vehicle, and empty horse trailer, veered off the road into a construction zone. Witnesses contacted emergency personnel who found Staley in his vehicle with no vital signs. He had suffered a massive heart attack.

“His dying passion was horses,” said Tiffanee. “He always had horses and he loved racing.”

Staley, who was from a farming family of 17 brothers and sisters, will be missed by those in the racing community, especially in Kingston where he was a fixture for most of his life.

Visitation is on Saturday, June 30, from 1 pm to 5 pm at Gordon F Tompkins Funeral Home at 435 Davis Drive in Kingston, Ontario.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Larry Staley.