Throwback Thursday is sponsored by Cavanagh Funeral Home:
It’s Throwback Thursday once again!
Here is an old photograph of Trainer Mark Austin training a horse called OSCARSSON in 1993 at Dresden Raceway.
He was enshrined into the Dresden Raceway Hall of Fame at Dresden Raceway on June 19, 2017.
Mark Austin was a trainer who hailed from Chatham and got his start at Dresden Raceway in early 1980’s training for owners such as Graham Chambers.
In 1988 his reputation of being great with young horses came caught up with him as he was asked to break a yearling trotter named A Worthy Lad for Joe Johnston. A Worthy Lad never lost a race in North America.
Austin then moved his stable closer to Windsor and worked with Jack Darling during the 90’s when Darling Stables produced champions like Northern Luck and Gothic Dream.
When Windsor Raceway started to stumble Austin moved his operation to Fergus where horses like Sparky Mark and Fool Me Once headlined his stable.
Austin died suddenly September 14, 2014 and had a career average of .345 and over $9 Million in earned purses thanks to 837 wins.
Austin wasn’t only a top notch trainer he was also favourite around the track as he was described as a true gentleman and was one of the nicest guys in the business.
Austin widow Julie and two daughters, Paige and Paula will were on hand for the ceremony.
Dresden Raceway has a pacing series in Austin’s honour that will start in July.
Thanks to Gary Patterson for the photograph!
If you have an old photo that you would like to see on the Sydenham Current, e-mail us at sydenhamcurrent@gmail.com.
