Trainer-driver Daniel E. (Don) Gillis, 87, dies

October 19, 2024…Longtime harness racing trainer-driver Daniel E. (Don) Gillis has died at the age of 87 after a lengthy illness.

Born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, Don Gillis was recognized as a competent and patient trainer, especially with younger horses, with Cubabenacontender, Quick Draw and Paul Henson among his successes during his career while racing a small stable.

Cubabenacontender had much success in New Jersey Sire Stakes action as a three-year-old in 1996 winning events at Showplace Farms and The Meadowlands while also garnering victories in the Hopeful Series at Yonkers Raceway.

But, according to his surviving daughter, Tracey (Micallef), he was enamored with trotters with his most successful performer at that gait being the Bonefish filly Lucious Almahurst, who took a three-year-old mark of 1:54.4 in 1987 over the DuQuoin one mile oval on her way to 1987 earnings of $211,594 for that season and $337,362 lifetime.

Besides the aforementioned venues in New Jersey and metropolitan New York, Don Gillis raced at Blue Bonnets, Richileu Park and Monticello, as well.

Throughout the industry, he was lauded for his character and his readiness to help his fellow horsemen with daughter Tracey remembering that ”he was the best man I’ve ever known!”

Of Don’s sibling survivors, only one sister, Shirley, remains as Wendell, Elva, Joan and John proceeded him in death.

Other survivors include Tracey’s mother, Carol, and her son-in-law Michael Micallef.

The family has no services planned but encourage remembrances in the form of donations to The Trotting Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y.

by Harnesslink Media