Yvon Giguere passes

Yvon Giguere passes

Yvon Giguere passed away on August 8 after a short battle with cancer. He was 63.

Yvon was the Simulcast Manager for Grand River Raceway since 2010.

The Quebec native was a highly esteemed executive throughout the global harness racing industry.

He was an enormous asset to the Elora, ON track with extensive expertise in tote, simulcast and related fields garnered from his 20-year racetrack career in Quebec.

A former VP of Racetracks Of Canada and director with Harness Tracks Of America, Yvon held several management titles within Attractions Hippiques, Société National du Cheval de Course (SONACC), and Hippodrome de Montreal/Blue Bonnets.

Beyond his thorough knowledge of the harness racing industry, and his thirst for gathering new ideas and concepts, Yvon was a devoted and enthusiastic member of the Grand River Raceway team. He was committed to harness racing and the growth of Grand River Raceway and its employees.

While in Quebec, Yvon also owned, trained and drove Standardbreds and was a passionate advocate for the sport. He was a third-generation horseman. His father Jules, and uncle Georges are both members of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame.

Yvon is survived by his wife Michelle, sons Frederic and Francois, daughter Andreann and brothers Guy, Robert and Michel.

A private funeral will be held in Quebec City.

Grand River Raceway will air a short video tribute to Yvon at the top of the race night broadcast (6:05 p.m. EST) on Wednesday, August 10.