by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Mark Austin, 54, one of Ontario’s most popular and successful trainers, died Sept. 14, 2014.

Hailing from Southwestern Ontario, Mr. Austin was introduced to harness racing by his uncle, Bud, and got into the sport full-time after high school. One of his earliest brushes with greatness came courtesy of Oldcastle, Ontario’s Dr. Joe Johnston, who gave Mr. Austin a yearling to break in 1988. That homebred Worthy Bowl colt would later be turned over to trainer Bud Fritz, and went on to never lose a race on North American soil: A Worthy Lad.

Mr. Austin would later work for trainer Jack Darling in the mid-to-late 1990s during a run that produced the likes of Gothic Dream and Northern Luck. Shortly after that stretch working with Darling, Mr. Austin made the move with wife Julie from a Windsor-based stable to the Fergus area.

During the 2000s Mr. Austin’s stable was consistent and solid; his earnings never dipped below C$200,000. In 2009 his earnings surpassed C$800,000 thanks to the likes of older pacers Go Get Her, Part Shark and XLB Patrick.

The two horses that more recently made headlines for Mr. Austin were Sparky Mark and Fool Me Once. Sparky Mark enjoyed a stellar run at Woodbine’s top class from the end of 2011 into 2013, while Fool Me Once was one of 2013’s top 3-year-old pacers and captured an elimination of the Pepsi North America Cup.

Mr. Austin will be tremendously missed by the love of his life, Julie Ann (Davis) and his loving daughters, Paige and Paula and daughter Marcie. He was the beloved son of Thomas E. and Aileen Austin and loving brother of Tim (Debbie), Perry and Kelly Klinard (Dan). He will also be lovingly remembered by his mother-in-law, Rose Davis; brother-in-law, Stephen (Cynthia); and many nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home & Chapel, 280 St. David St. south in Fergus, on Wednesday (Sept. 17) from 3-7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 760 St. David St. north in Fergus, on Thursday (Sept. 18) at 11 a.m. Interment at St. Joseph–St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Elora.

Memorial contributions can be directed to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.