“R.J.” Bennett Passes

Arguably the most important owner-breeder in the history of horse racing in British Columbia, Russell “R.J.” Bennett has passed at the age of 94

Jul 05, 2024

We’re very sad to announce the news of Russell “RJ” Bennett’s passing at the age of 94.

Mr Bennett’s huge contribution to racing and breeding in British Columbia is almost impossible to quantify; although it is fair to say that his legacy, along with that of his wife and partner, Lois, will continue to filter through the sport for many years to come.

A member of The Jockey Club of Canada for almost 40 years, Bennett, along with Lois, was involved in Thoroughbred racing in Canada since the 1950’s and has been central to the sport’s success in B.C. ever since. They were inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2007 and, in 2016, received the prestigious E. P. Taylor Award of Merit.

However, Bennett’s many deserved accolades down the years barely scratch the surface of his contribution to racing and breeding in B.C. During his lifetime, he bred and campaigned thousands of horses which, in turn, provided hundreds of individuals with careers, jobs and livelihoods.

According to HBPA BC President David Milburn, the significance of RJ’s impact upon the sport in British Columbia is unlikely to be repeated.

Milburn said: “We were very saddened to hear of the passing of Russ Bennett at the remarkable age of 94. RJ’s contribution to racing and breeding throughout our province is unlikely ever to be equalled, either in longevity or impact.”

“His legacy, through the Thoroughbred bloodlines he expertly and lovingly developed over nearly 70 years, is assured and will endure for decades to come.”

“We would like to express our condolences to his equally remarkable wife, Lois, his family and to all the very many friends and colleagues who knew him, not just as an owner and breeder, but as an extraordinary man, devoted to the horses that have served us all so well at Hastings and across Canada for many, many years.”

Friday Night Previews

The spectacular weather looks set to continue on Friday and what better way to celebrate summer in the city than an evening of racing under the floodlights at Hastings!

Friday night racing is a unique experience and one not to be missed by Vancouver sports fans — *photo Michael Bye*

ASKMENOQUESTIONS lost nothing in defeat to Lucky Cowboy, who was en-route to landing his third straight contest when they met last month. DON W and CHAMPIOSA were well behind that day and a similar performance here would give Askmenoquestions a major shot. The main threat should come from EXTRA INNINGS, who was third in a marginally better contest than this on his Hastings debut after racing previously in California. He faded late after racing prominently throughout and, having been off since the previous September, was entitled to need the race.

ARIKARA has been nothing short of outstanding this year and goes for her fourth win of the season (the three previous wins all came in May). She kicked-off the year by winning in the lowest class, stepped up a level for her second victory before, most recently, holding Wandalita to a head when landing an optional allowance at the $16k level. She may have most to fear from fellow front-runner ALOBRAH, who has bumped into some smart opponents in both her runs this season and wasn’t too far behind the useful Hoax and Dreamb last time. LUCY TREASURE drops back to sprinting after finishing well back last time over the long course. Prior to that, she was a rallying third behind Arikara and is certainly in the mix.

ATTAIN went into plenty of notebooks after failing by just a nose against Quatre Bak on his racing debut and looks the one they have to beat here. The more experienced HORATIO wasn’t too far away in the same race and was plugging on well enough to suggest he should appreciate his first crack at the longer distance, while that also applies to I’M SEEING RED, who was just behind the main protagonists in the same contest and is a half-brother to former BC Derby hero, Regal Riot.

The highly-promising Bennett homebred SUNBLAZE will be hoping for a little racing luck tonight to show just how unfortunate she has been in her two starts to-date. She overcame some horrid traffic and still went down by just a head to Lonie Mo; and she was in front a stride later. This looks the perfect opportunity for her to get off the mark before moving onwards and upwards. WEEKENDINDELMAR overcame some roughhousing on the home turn before rallying well to claim third behind Donna Wynn most recently and is progressing with racing, while SAILINGFORTHESTARS was perhaps the worst affected in the same race, effectively becoming a pinball as they straightened up for home, and she should be a different proposition this evening.

California import BUTTONWOOD TREE has adapted brilliantly to the demand of the East Van oval and steps up in class again in search of his third consecutive win. This will be his toughest challenge so far, but he should be thereabouts again if able to reproduce his most recent effort. However, LUCKY FORCE, who steps up to the long course for the first time this season, will have plenty to say about where the purse goes and he looks a major danger after beating tonight’s rivals JUST JIMMY and SMART LAD last time. COUNTERACT, who beat the useful Nine One One last time, went down by a neck to the smart Space over this distance last season and has to be on the shortlist.

HARTLEY MANOR takes some class relief here after being unable to land a blow behind Hoax and co last time and should be a lot closer at this level. WIRLY GIRLY makes her Hastings’ debut after arriving from California over the spring and is an interesting contender who isn’t easy to appraise. However, she’s been working well in the mornings and, if she takes to the track, is certainly in the mix. KARDINAL ROSE drops back to sprinting after doing a lot of the hard work on the front-end last time. She weakened late and finished just behind rallying stablemate PETERSON LANDING and both are leading candidates to take this Friday night finale.