by John Berry

Pompano Beach, FL — Longtime horseman Clayton Faurot, Sr., 76, died Dec. 17, 2012, after a long bout with cancer.

Born June 23, 1936, Mr. Faurot drove 616 winners during his career and added 532 training victories to his resume, as well.

One of his more successful horses was Turbo Rabbit, a pacer that captured the $106,081 Michigan Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings in 1998.

In recent years, he campaigned at Pompano Park in South Florida, his most recent success coming just three weeks ago, Nov. 28, with the claiming pacer Smashing Art.

Mr. Faurot’s involvement with horses wasn’t just limited to the Standardbred.

During the summer of 1997, he raced the aforementioned Turbo Rabbit at the Fowlerville County Fair, saddled a Thoroughbred mare Crystal Belle at DRC that same afternoon and capped off the day by racing a trotter, Stretch Rose, at Hazel Park that night.

Along with his daughters, Mr. Faurot had been in partnership in the ownership of Grand River Equine Feeds, founded back in 1985.

Mr. Faurot and his daughter, Cindy, rescued many animals in his community. And it didn’t matter whether they were domesticated or wild. He closely worked with the Humane Society and the Michigan Parks Department.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Peggy); daughters, Candy (Farmer) and Cindy (Godair); son, Clay, Jr.; and five grandchildren.

While arrangements are pending, anyone wishing to remember him can do so with contributions to the 501(C3) charity “Children, Hope & Horses,” an organization that reaches out to children between the ages of five and 17 years who have been abused, neglected and/or abandoned. Their address is 4255 NW 25th Way, Boca Raton, FL 33434. (Phone 561.997.6693).