by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Longtime Standardbred trainer, driver, and owner Dan Bowermaster, 67, of DeLeon Springs, Fla., died Sept. 23, 2018.

He was born in Fairfield, Iowa, on Jan. 17, 1951, to the late Willard and Marjorie Bowermaster.

Mr. Bowermaster was a friend to all that knew him with a passion for the harness racing industry. He started working with horses at the age of 12 and began his driving career on the Iowa fair circuit. He accumulated more than 550 wins as a driver racing at Balmoral Park, Sportsman’s Park, Pompano Park and Quad City Downs but his biggest accolades came on the training side of the business. Throughout his training career, Mr. Bowermaster campaigned the winners of more than $1.8 million in purse earnings and multiple stakes winners throughout the Midwest.

Mr. Bowermaster trained the pacing mare Figmental who was a five-time winner throughout her short racing career but her biggest accomplishments came in the breeding shed. As a broodmare, Figmental produced Indiana Sires Stakes winners Marks-Mindy p,4,1:52.2 ($353,525), Marky Mike p,5,1:52.1 ($338,240) and Mark’s Way p,4,1:51.4 ($191,737) all of which were trained by Mr. Bowermaster in the early stages of their careers. Then came Mykindachip p,8,1:49.1 ($823,957) who garnered multiple Indiana Sires Stakes wins throughout his 2- and 3-year-old seasons with Mr. Bowermaster as trainer and owner. Mykindachip was Mr. Bowermaster’s favorite horse.

Aside from harness racing, he also enjoyed NASCAR racing and spending time with his family and friends. Most recently, he enjoyed following the successes of his only son, Shane Bowermaster, who is currently the third leading trainer at Hoosier Park for the 2018 season with 47 trips to the winner’s circle.

In addition to son Shane and daughter-in-law Jody, Mr. Bowermaster is survived by two sisters and many close friends.

A memorial service will be held for Mr. Bowermaster at Hoosier Park on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for memorial contributions to be made to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption at www.horseadoption.com.

Please join members of the harness racing community in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dan Bowermaster.