The Hastings backstretch community is in mourning this week, following news of the untimely passing of this year’s leading owner, Dairen Edwards, who has died suddenly at the age of just 59.

Under the direction of Dairen, his daughter Makayla and trainer Steve Henson, Willow Creek Farms has grown rapidly into a powerful force at Hastings and further afield. Willow Creek’s colours were carried to victory in 32 races this season at Hastings and beyond; a total that was further boosted by several high-profile horses owned in partnership – including this year’s leading juvenile at Hastings, Mount Doom.

Willow Creek finished the season at Hastings with 26 local wins, making the owner/breeder operation Vancouver’s leading owner numerically for the second consecutive season.

A keen hunter and fisherman, Dairen was the owner of SRL Industries Ltd, a successful manufacturing company, producing high-quality products for use in the construction sector.

The rapid growth and success of Willow Creek, achieved in less than a decade, put Dairen at the heart of the racing and breeding sector in British Columbia and led to him taking a more active role in the industry. He took over as President of the local division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) upon the passing of Dave Bennington and was a conciliatory figure, always available to chat about the issues facing the local industry and, according to HBPA President David Milburn, committed to doing everything he could to see racing succeed in Western Canada.     

Milburn said: “Dairen was an important part of the Hastings’ community and, as President of the CTHS, he was a positive force for change and very much a unifying influence within our industry. His passing is a huge blow to us all.”

“On behalf of the HBPA, its members and everyone connected with racing at Hastings, we would like to extend our very deepest sympathies to Dairen’s wife Tia, his daughter Makayla, son Jacob and to their extended families.”

Dairen’s interests also extended to Standardbred racing and he would have been at Fraser Downs this week to see two young horses, owned in partnership by Willow Creek, land two valuable Stakes events.