Celebrated Canadian thoroughbred horse owner and breeder June Sifton passed away on Aug. 26 in Winnipeg, the city where she was born 82 years ago, in the month she was named after.

She was predeceased by her husband John, her parents Melvyn and Sophia, and her brothers Gordon and Russell. She is survived by her children, Raymond (Sue), Harold, Patti (Laurie) and Victor; and by her grandchildren, Sarah, Erin, David, Ryan and Johnny.

It was her husband, John W. Sifton, Publisher of the Winnipeg Free Press and majority shareholder of FP Publications — a cross-country chain of regional dailies, that also included the Globe and Mail – who introduced his wife to the stables, the track and the romance of racing prior to his untimely death in 1969.

A self-confessed “tomboy”, who grew up in suburban Charleswood, June loved the outdoors.

She was an avid skier and equestrian, as well as a competitive amateur golfer. The love of those sports would be passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Of all her talents and sporting pursuits, however, horses and thoroughbred racing were her linked passion. June was a breeder of many successful thoroughbred race horses, including Liz’s Pride, a two-year old sovereign award winner. But she loved watching all of them playing in the fields at home on her farm and stables at Caledon, Ont., and at Stoneacres, the Sifton’s property in Oakbank, Mb. Of course, being the competitor she was, June also enjoyed cheering her horses on at shows and race tracks from Santa Anita Park in California, to Gulf Stream Park, in Florida, to Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, where one of her horses last ran in 2015. And while she had homes both inside and just outside Toronto, and in Wellington, Florida and Vail, Colorado, June always returned each year to Stoneacres, and to Assiniboia Downs where it all started. And where annually she would honour her own roots and her late husband’s memory, by presenting the J. W. Sifton Memorial trophy to the winners of the race for Manitoba-bred three-year-old colts and geldings.

It is near there, directly across Portage Avenue from the track, where — as she wished — June will be laid to rest beside John.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either: LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, or to The Veterinary Research Centre at Guelph University.

Visitation will be held on Friday September 2, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage
Avenue, Winnipeg. The private burial will follow at a later date.

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