Trot Insider has learned that longtime Standardbred trainer Mike Weller, who had recently been battling cancer for the second time, has passed away at the age of 60.
It was announced in early April that Weller, who had previously battled and defeated stomach cancer in 2016, had been re-diagnosed with the disease, this time in his esophagus. After the April announcement, Weller and his wife, Sue Woodyatt, took a leave of absence from their positions in the industry to explore treatment options outside of Canada.
Weller was no stranger to the win column during his extensive career in the harness racing industry, as the successful horseman’s starters won 1,315 races and banked $6.7 million in purse earnings. He campaigned a solid stable south of the border for many years before relocating his stable to Ontario roughly nine years ago.
Weller, a resident of Milton, Ont., was a much-loved and respected horseman throughout the industry, and will be missed by his peers and those closest to him.
Arrangements and an official obituary for Weller have yet to be announced, but Trot Insider will update this story with the information when it is made available.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Mike Weller.
Standardbred Canada