Mac Cuddy dies

Mac Cuddy, turkey entrepreneur and horseman, has died after a lengthy battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He was 86.

Mr. Cuddy is survived by his wife Patricia of 16 years, his five sons Bruce, Brian, Peter, Robert and Douglas, his daughter Barbara, and 19 grandchildren.

In 1950, Mr. Cuddy purchased a 100-acre turkey farm in Strathroy, Ont., for a reported $3,000 and transformed it into the largest turkey hatching and breeding operation in the world, supplying 60 percent of the Canadian turkey market.

A highly accomplished breeder and owner, Mr. Cuddy's greatest victory came in 1975 when Bonefish captured the Hambletonian. Another great horse was Speedy Carlene, who was chosen as the Canadian Trotting Association's 3-Year-Old Trotter of the Year in 1972.

Mr. Cuddy also stood two stallions that dominated the early days of the Ontario Sire Stakes--Alert Bret and Smog, and was a shareholder in the legendary Albatross as well.

Mr. Cuddy was a trustee of the Ontario Jockey Club, a member of the Hambletonian Society, the London Horse Society, the United States Trotting Association, Lexington Trots Breeders Association, and Standardbred Canada. His farm also served as the sponsor for the Confederation Cup at Flamboro Downs.

Mr. Cuddy was honored with a Doctor of Laws by the University of Guelph in 1994. He graduated from the university's predecessor, the Ontario Agricultural College in 1942, before serving in World War II.

A private service has been planned for the weekend, but a public memorial service will be arranged. (From Standardbred Canada)

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