The CTHS Alberta is saddened to hear of the passing of longtime Alberta horseman, Dale Saunders, at the age of 82 years on September 14th, 2024. Our sincere condolences go to Dale’s family and friends.
Affectionately known as “The Colonel,” it wouldn’t be far off to consider trainer Dale Saunders a king in Thoroughbred racing in Canada, in particular his home province of Alberta. The Jockey Club of Canada in 2023 honored Dale with the coveted E. P. Taylor Award of Merit, presented to an individual who has accomplished outstanding lifetime achievements in Canadian thoroughbred racing and made significant contributions to the industry in this country.
Through more than half a century of training horses, Dale is among an elite group of Canadian horsepeople, his 2,177 winners putting him sixth on the list of all-time leading trainers. Dale is only the second trainer to win more than 2,000 races while running exclusively in Alberta, along with Canadian Horse Racing Hall Fame of Fame inductee Ron ‘Red’ Smith. Dale has won the Alberta trainer’s title eight times and through 2022 his horses collected more than $17 million in earnings. In 2012, he was named Horseperson of the Year at the Alberta Thoroughbred Awards and in 2016, the town of Bowden presented Dale with a plaque for his 2,000th winner and his contributions to the community.
As per Dale’s wishes, a private family gravesite service will be held at the Bowden Cemetery in Bowden, Alberta. If desired, Memorial Donations in Dale’s honor may be made to the HBPA of Alberta Backstretch Fund, P.O. Box 7005, Town Square Post Office, Leduc, Alberta, T9E 1H7 or at www.hbpaalberta.ca. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.
HRA In Memoriam Dale Saunders:
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