Sad weekend, the loss of great ones in our industry

[Stylus]

TAMMY SAMUEL-BALAZ (left), one of the first ladies of Canadian horse-racing, passed away on Saturday after a battle with cancer. She was 47.
A horse lover, equestrienne, businesswoman and president of Sam-Son Farms (following the passing of her father Ernie Samuel a decade ago), Tammy was a friend to many. She was a director of Woodbine Entertainment and worked with many charities.
This year, she mourned the loss of the family's superstar mare DANCE SMARTLY and their Horse of the Year QUIET RESOLVE.
Visitation is tomorrow in Oakville.

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Florida horseman Don Rice died early Sunday morning from injuries he suffered on Thursday at his central Florida farm, according to officials at Tampa Bay Downs, where Rice won eight training titles.

Rice, 72, was found unconscious early Thursday morning at his Antigo Farm near Anthony, Fla. His daughter, Paula Williams, said Friday that it is believed Rice was hurt when a horse broke through the gate of a paddock, and the gate fell on Rice. He was airlifted with a head injury to Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he died.

Rice, a native of Antigo, Wis., won his Tampa Bay training titles between the 1994-95 meet and the 2004-05 season. He set the record for wins at a Tampa meet during in 2001-02 when he won 44 races.

Since beginning his training career in 1971, Rice has saddled 1,403 winners from 10,707 starters. His horses have earned $6.4 million in purses. Rice cut back his operation in recent years and only won a single race in 2007. At the time of his death he owned several horses stabled with trainer M. Anthony Ferraro at Tampa Bay Downs.

Services will be held at Hier's Funeral Home at 910 Southeast Silver Springs Boulevard (State Road 40) in Ocala, Fla., on Friday from 2-4 p.m. Hier's Funeral Home can be reached at (352)

[Mood Swings]

That is awful

Tammy was so young, I didn't even know she was battling cancer, so sad. She will be remembered.

RIP Tammy and Don

My thoughts are with their family and friends.