Vet-turned-trainer de Gannes dies

Greg de Gannes, a popular Woodbine-based trainer and veterinarian, has died

in Florida at the age of 49.

De Gannes won 124 career races, including 120 at Woodbine. He won 10 Woodbine

stakes races, including three with Jenny's So Great and two with Southern

Exchange.  After he saddled C Karma to win the Grade 3 Natalma Stakes in 2008,

he sent her to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita Park,

where she finished eighth.

Born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1963, de Gannes came to Canada in 1973 when

his father, Dr. Rolph de Gannes, accepted a position as resident veterinarian at

Windfields Farm in Oshawa.

During his youth at the famous nursery, personal exposure to such stars as

Deputy Minister, The Minstrel, Sunny's Halo and Vice Regent only inspired him

further to want to become involved in the industry.

He proceeded to obtain a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the

University of Guelph in 1988. Upon graduation, de Gannes went to work for the

firm of Fishman & Chris at Woodbine, specializing in the care of Thoroughbred

racehorses.

In 1991, when Windfields closed its Maryland Nursery, his father moved back

to Ontario and started his own rural practice, specializing in equine

reproduction. Greg teamed up with his father to form a mixed equine practice.

However, in 1988, he met trainer Mark Casse and went to work at Mockingbird

Farm in Ocala, Florida, as head veterinarian and principal assistant for Casse.

During that time, he was involved with such standouts as Valid Appeal, End

Sweep, Successful Appeal, Swept Overboard and Exciting Story.

De Gannes took out his trainer's licence in 2003 and was well supported by

owners from his native Caribbean.

The Palm Meadows Training Center, his winter headquarters, will hold a memorial service in the

trainers' lounge on Wednesday at 11 a.m. (EST). Woodbine will post information

regarding funeral arrangements in Canada, once available.