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In Memory of Don Seymour

July 5, 2020

TORONTO, Sunday, July 5, 2020 – Canadian Hall of Fame jockey Don Seymour, 59, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Friday, June 26, 2020.

Highly regarded by the Canadian Thoroughbred horse racing community, Seymour is the only two-time Triple Crown winning jockey in Canada. The Hamilton, Ont. native accomplished the feat aboard With Approval (1989) and Izvestia (1990) for trainer Roger Attfield and Kinghaven Farm.

“Donnie was a great rider,” praised Attfield. “He had good hands and a good clock in his head. We had as good of a rapport as any trainer-jockey could have. We really understood each other and we talked through problems and we got things shorted out. It was a great relationship for sure.

“The legacy of Donnie Seymour goes on forever. He achieved so much in a relatively short period of time.”

The four-time Sovereign Award-winning reinsman (1985, 1987, 1989, 1990), who started his career in Alberta in the 1980s before tackling the Ontario Jockey Club circuit, retired at the age of 34 at the conclusion of the 1994 season with 2,141 career wins and more than $31.4 million in purse earnings. He was honoured the following year as a recipient of the prestigious Avelino Gomez Memorial Award.

Seymour, who also served as a placing judge and official clocker until 2002, was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1999.

Loving dad of D.J. (Kaitlyn), Kandice (MJ) Johnson, Michael (Vanessa) and Chris (Brandy). Proud Popi of Carter, Hazel, and Jackson. Beloved son of Mary and the late Albert Seymour. Dear brother of Debbie (Ralph), Albert (Michelle), Wayne (Sherry) and Terry (Marisa). Don will also be fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews.

A private family service will be held followed by a public celebration of Don’s life at a later date. In Don’s memory, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.skwarchukfuneralhome.com.

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