Austin E. 'Ned' Galentine, a longtime horseman and former racing official, passed away on May 30, 2012, two weeks prior to his 81st birthday, after a short stay at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, Delaware.
Born in Amesbury, Massachusetts, Galantine served four years in the U.S. Army, including two years, 1951 and 1952, during the Korean Conflict, a member of the 2nd Infantry Division. Galentine remained a member of the Korean War Veterans Alliance.
In 1954, upon military discharge, he began a career in harness racing, working with his well-known horseman and stepfather, Henry Clukey. Galentine’s career spanned more than three decades, racing at tracks throughout the east coast, at raceways in New England states, Canada and Mid-Atlantic tracks where he was a popular standardbred owner, trainer and driver. While a driver, he won 793 races with trotters Mr Regal and Buckys Prize and pacer Chester Gene, his most prominent.
Galentine’s proudest victory came driving Mr Regal to victory, beating his friend Stanley Dancer’s famed Super Bowl during Grand Circuit Week at Brandywine Raceway in 1971.
His driving career was curtailed for a time when he was seriously injured in a major racing accident involving Hall of Famer Joe O’Brien in the homestretch at Brandywine.
Galentine was a member of the United States Trotting Association for more than six decades. Following retirement from training and driving in August 1981, Galentine became a racing official, joining the judges' stand. His knowledge and love of harness racing enabled him to quickly become Presiding Judge at Delaware and Maryland race tracks --- Dover Downs, Brandywine, Harrington Raceway and Ocean Downs --- prior to retirement as Presiding Judge at Rosecroft Raceway.
Galentine is survived by his loving companion of 30 years, Susan Stamper; a son, Daniel E. Galentine; a daughter, Peni G. Warren; two grandchildren and three nephews.
A memorial service is scheduled Saturday, June 9, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 200 Church Avenue, Milford, Del. Interment will be private at Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington, Del.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 200 Church Street, Milford, DE 19963. Arrangements handled by Berry-Short Funeral Home, Milford, Del.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Austin Galentine.
(Dover Downs)