“It is with profound sadness and sense of loss that I inform you of the passing of Robert (Bob) M. Anderson, on Sunday, November 7, 2010,” advised David S. Willmot, Chair of Woodbine Entertainment Group. “Bob succumbed to the effects of a serious heart attack suffered last Wednesday.”
Anderson has been involved with breeding, racing and selling thoroughbred and standardbred race horses for 41 years in Canada, Europe and the United States.
He had been a Director of Woodbine Entertainment Group (formerly the Ontario Jockey Club) since 1984, Chairman of WEG’s Thoroughbred Racing Committee and Chairman of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Foundation.
In addition, he was past Ontario President of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS), National President of the CTHS, member of the Board of Directors of the Hambletonian Society (Standardbred); Board member of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (USA), Steward of the Jockey Club of Canada, Member of the Ontario Racing Commission Advisory Board, First Chairman of the Guelph Centre for Equine Research and Member of the E.P. Taylor Equine Research Fund.
Anderson Farms bred over 1,400 thoroughbreds and raised and raced several thoroughbred and standardbred champions such as Pampered Princess, Southwind Allaire, Cabrini Hanover, Pinafore Park, Larkwhistle and Prince Avatar. Alydeed, Ascot Knight and National Assembly are three successful Anderson Farms-bred stallions. For many years, Anderson was a leading consignor at Saratoga and Keeneland November.
He was also involved in his hometown community of St. Thomas, Ontario. He was past Vice-President of the St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce, co-founder of the downtown St. Thomas Development Board and past president of numerous charity organizations.
“His passion for the sport of horseracing radiated from his soul and he was such a good friend to so many of us. Our thoughts are with David, Jessica and their families as they deal with this loss which has come far too early,” offered Mr. Willmot.
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