Longtime Trainer Silvera Dies at 89

Longtime Thoroughbred trainer and Canadian Thoroughbred industry fixture Laurie Silvera died March 2. He was 89.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Silvera became a licensed Thoroughbred trainer in Canada in 1975. The graded stakes-winning conditioner had more than 1,000 wins and earned nearly $26 million in purses throughout his career in North America.

"A true gentleman, Laurie was a longtime fixture on the Woodbine backstretch and highly respected among the local racing community for his horsemanship and willingness to help others," Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson said. "Racing fans will remember Laurie for his prowess in training horses at Woodbine for decades and the early season success he often achieved. On behalf of Woodbine Entertainment, we offer our sincere condolences to Laurie's family and friends."

Silvera topped the trainer standings for three consecutive spring meetings at Greenwood in the late 1980s to early 1990s.

In 1991, Silvera had a career-best 43 wins and campaigned Sovereign Award-winning 2-year-old colt Free At Last for original racing owners Silverbrook Stable. Free At Last, a Kentucky-bred by Wild Again, won the Summer Stakes (G3T) at Woodbine when trained by Silvera.

The respected horseman recorded eight million-dollar seasons, including back-to-back years with almost $1.5 million in purses in 2006 and 2007.

Other stakes winners trained by Silvera include Ariana D, Tusayan, Stormthebarricade, Madam Du Barri, Marvellous Silver, Right Regal, Courtly Candor, Parisinthespring, Try in the Sky, Hawk in Flight, and November Snow.