They are affectionately known as the Royal Couple of horseracing in British Columbia. Sadly, one part of that couple passed away this week. Russ Bennett, R.J., who, along with his wife Lois, is in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and have bred and/or raced over 60 stakes winners, died at the age of 94.
Mr. Bennett’s huge contribution to racing and breeding in British Columbia is almost impossible to quantify; although it is fair to say that his legacy, along with that of his wife and partner, Lois, will continue to filter through the sport for many years to come.
A member of The Jockey Club of Canada for almost 40 years, Bennett, along with Lois, was involved in Thoroughbred racing in Canada since the 1950’s and has been central to the sport’s success in B.C. ever since. They were inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2007 and, in 2016, received the prestigious E. P. Taylor Award of Merit.