Trainer Ashlee Brnjas dies at age 40

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Ashlee Brnjas, the private trainer for her father John’s Colebrook Farms, passed away over the weekend at the age of 40.

After starting her equine career with hunters and jumpers, Brnjas made her training debut in 2007. She was the trainer of record of 318 winners from 2,853 starters, for earnings of $10.6 million.

Brnjas campaigned stakes winners Johnny Bear, Seen It All Before, Reconnect, and Bear Paw. Johnny Bear, who was co-owned by Bear Stables, captured the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf as a longshot in both in 2017 and 2018, and was Canada’s champion male turf horse in 2017.

Brnjas ranks eighth in the standings at the current Woodbine meet, with 13 victories.

A cause of death was not released. Arrangements have yet to be announced.