David Clifford Goodrow DMV, a longtime horse vet, breeder, and owner from Cambridge, Ont., passed away peacefully at home on April 30, 2025. He was 74 years old.
Born in Hamilton on March 20, 1951, Dave grew up in Burlington and went to Aldershot High School. Even though he wasn’t really into school much, he got introduced to horse racing thanks to the local pool hall owner. A couple of summers later, working at a nearby racing stable deepened his interest. That ended up shaping his whole career-over 50 years as an equine vet after graduating from the University of Guelph in 1976-and it became a lifelong passion for him as a vet, breeder and owner.
Dave co-owned the international trotting mare Treasure Kronos. She had wins like the Swedish Breeders Crown, Sto Sprintern (pictured below), and Criterium Continental and even ran in the Prix d’Amerique back in 2016. Some other top horses Dave owned were Roller Cam and Dancehall Mistress along with homebreds like Moonlit Dance-the winner of the 2015 Mistletoe Shalee-plus Ellis Park, Fat Mans Alley and Midnite Romp.
He also led the purchase of Muscle Mass from the Standardbred Horse Sale with Kentuckiana Farms. Muscle Mass was then syndicated for stud duty at Kentuckiana.
Apart from horses, Dave was quite an athlete himself until his body told him otherwise. At university he found rugby and stuck with it forever-playing, refereeing, coaching or being club president; his energy for rugby helped shape that community too.
Family meant a lot to Dave. He leaves behind his wife Gwen (nee Tiffin) of 29 years from Cambridge; siblings Paul (Carol) of Burlington; Gwen Trone (husband Graham passed) Petrolia; Don (Val) Calgary; Jean Port Mc Nicoll; Tony (Linda) Vineland Station; Jamie (Laurie) Sarnia; plus nieces and nephews Matt, Megan, Carla, Chris, Jen, James, Charlene, Ayla and Lilia; along with great nieces and nephews Holden, William, Mae, Mackenzie, Declan, Harper, Zack Brooklyn and Aiden.
Traveling together was something Dave and Gwen loved doing all over the world. What started out as business trips for Dave quickly turned into fun getaways where they made lasting friendships.
The family will miss Dave’s smile offbeat laugh stories quirks – friends colleagues members of Brantford Harlequins rugby club clients plus his loyal dog Frankie will all feel this loss deeply.
Following Dave’s wishes he has been cremated. Instead of flowers please consider supporting charities close to him: Guelph Humane Society Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society or Carpenter Hospice-or any hospice you prefer.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday May 31st at Puslinch Community Centre located at 23 Brock Rd South Puslinch Ont., running from 1 p. m until about 5 p. m with presentations starting around 2 p. m.
Please join Standardbred Canada sending condolences to everyone who knew and cared about Dave Goodrow.
