Pompano Beach, FL — Renowned horseman Normand Dessureault, 72, died recently after a brief illness.

A native of Ayers Cliff, Quebec, Mr. Dessureault’s successful career in harness racing spanned close to a half century while compiling 1,838 wins in the sulky and well over 400 as a trainer in the latter stages of his career.

Normand Dessureault, 72, died recently after a brief illness. Pompano Park photo.

Known as a complete horseman and true gentleman on and off the racetrack, Mr. Dessureault had many successful campaigners over the years but the one that stood out in his own mind was Incredible Abe, a son of Crowning Point that won $279,847 as a 2-year-old under the careful horsemanship of Normand and his son, Mario.

Among his successes of 11 wins in 15 starts as a 2-year-old in 1993 were several stakes on the Grand Circuit and New York Sire Stakes route, including triumphs at Vernon Downs, Saratoga, Buffalo, Batavia, Syracuse, Yonkers, and The Red Mile with his season finale being a win in the Matron Stake at Pompano Park.

In an interview several years ago, he related, “To say that ‘Abe’ was ‘incredible’ didn’t really happen right away. I won a baby race at Blue Bonnets — I think the purse was $500 or so — in 2:07 and a piece, and while I loved his manners, I wasn’t sure how fast he would be able to go. But in no time he proved himself and took a 2-year-old mark of 1:58 and it was right here at Pompano. That was quite something for a 2-year-old back then.”

In recent years, “Dess” campaigned Bobs Hope, Security Guard and, this year, the Open trotter Bucketlist Hanover.

Hall of Fame Horseman Wally Hennessey reflected on Mr. Dessureault’s career and character saying, “He was admired by all of us, not only as a horseman, but as a true gentleman…just an wonderful guy.”

He is survived by his wife, Noreen; son, Mario (Desi); brothers, Michelle (Lynn) and Alain (Helene); and sister, Ginette.

Services for Normand Dessureault are planned for this summer in his homeland of Quebec, in coordination with his mother, who passed away in 2020.