Ontario trainer Tommy O'Keefe dies at 82

Longtime Ontario horseman Tommy O’Keefe passed away Dec. 22 after battling bone cancer at 82.

Born in Ireland, O’Keefe eventually immigrated to Canada and became a successful trainer. He won 245 races, including 15 stakes, for earnings of more than $6 million.

“Tommy was a great horse person who truly loved the game,” jockey agent Steve Roberts said. “In the days since he passed, I’ve heard so many great stories about Tommy from other trainers and horse people. He had the respect of so many people.”

For Steve Roberts’s late father, Les, O’Keefe trained stakes winners Masada, Wings of Erin, Mulrainy, and Inspired Kiss. He also conditioned 1978 Niagara Handicap victor Tuxedo Mac.

Plans are in the works for a memorial service for O’Keefe, who won his last race as an owner/trainer with Ingordwetrust on July 1, 2022.