Trainer Jacques Dumas, well known by thoroughbred racing fans at Blue Bonnets in the 70’s and 80’s passed away recently at the age of 74 in Toronto.
His fans will remember the successes of this young horseman along with J.-Louis Lévesque, then President of Blue Bonnets and a brilliant businessman who owned some 25 horses to be trained by Dumas, including his famous Giboulée who competed alongside the American star Seattle Slew!
During his career in Montreal, in Toronto and in the U.S. including the Queen’s Plate, the Manitoba Derby and the Kentucky Derby, Jacques accumulated an impressive roster of victories: 345 first places; 338 second places and 284 third on a total of 2,380 starts. Among the champions he trained, Seraphic, Gone To Royalty, Eternal Search, Giboulée, Ben Fab, Par Excellence were among the bests.
In Canada he trained horses of many celebrities including entertainer Jean Lapointe, golfer Gary Player and Frank Stronach who trusted him with some of his best horses. While he was training for J.-L. Lévesque, he participated on all the horse auction missions in Canada and the United States. “Without Jacques, I don’t buy” would say the savvy businessman.
On July 7th, at his request, a portion of Jacques’ ashes were sprinkled on the racetrack at Woodbine. Also at his request, a religious ceremony will be held at Notre-Dame de la Résurrection chapel at the Côte-des-Neiges cemetery located at 4501 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges. He will be buried at the Dumas family plot where his beloved parents rest in peace.
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