Columbus, OH — Donna Lee, 72, died Feb. 19, 2025, at the Ephraim McDowell hospital in Danville, Ky., after a courageous battle with health issues over the past few years. To a woman as successful as she, in what through her lifetime was largely a man’s business, fighting adversity was something with which Donna Lee was well acquainted.
Born Sept. 5, 1952, in Fairfield, Ill., she was a highly regarded horsewoman who had a knack for horses that required a little “TLC” to excel, competing on a high level during a time when Illinois racing was at its best.
Early on, she raced a small stable between Quad City Downs and Fairmount Park where she won an all-women’s driving club race and captured the UTR training title at Quad City in 1990.
With the closure of Quad City in 1993, she, along with her son Peter who did the shoeing and some driving before enlisting in the U.S. Army, moved operations to the Chicagoland tracks where she sent out state champions like Chicago Jazz and Havana.
As the future of racing in Chicago became more uncertain, she left her home state to join forces with her son Tony Alagna, upon whom her love of horses and harness racing had a tremendous impact. She would play a vital role in one of the top stables competing on the Grand Circuit.
Perhaps her greatest contribution was affording Tony the opportunity to remain state-side with one division of the stable while confidently sending many of his best horses to Canada for Grand Circuit stakes.
Under her hand, the Canadian division of the Alagna barn would win three Breeders Crowns (Ramona Hill, Reflect With Me and American History), back-to-back Canadian Trotting Classics with Ahundreddollarbill and Slay, the Metro with Exploit and a Peaceful Way with Caprice Hill.
Along with those accomplishments, she particularly enjoyed having a role in the development of Hambletonian winner Ramona Hill and a few of her personal favorites including world record holder Dr J Hanover and million-dollar winner Caprice Hill.
Dogs were always a part of the family and in later years the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tess and Freckles were her constant companions. She also encouraged Tony’s love of the Morgan Show Horse and together they sent out a world champion named Akira Hamilton in 2023.
Time off for her meant time on horseback, her great affection for trail riding and the endurance ride serving as her favored form of relaxation. Land Between The Lakes near Paducah, Ky., was a favorite spot to join friends for camping and a ride to celebrate her life at that location is in the planning stages for later this Spring.
She leaves behind loving sons Tony and Peter; and grandson, Cameron.
Donna, Tony and Peter have been united in the racing operation these past few seasons since Peter’s retirement from the Sheriff’s Office in Chicago. Donna and Peter joined in operating the family training center in Harrodsburg, Ky., while Tony remained at the New Jersey farm these past few winters.
Services for Donna Lee will be this Thursday (Feb. 27) between the hours of 1-4 p.m. at Ransdell Funeral Chapel located in Harrodsburg.
Memorial contribution may be made to the Harness Horse Youth Foundation.