Retired Canadian Racing Official Roland Roberts Dead

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Roland "Roly" Roberts, a retired Canadian racing official and a Sovereign Award winner, died March 4 in Toronto. He was 75.

Roberts received a Special Sovereign Award in 2002 for lifetime contributions to racing. He is one of only nine Special Sovereign Award recipients and the only one since 1998. Roberts served as vice president of finance for the Ontario Jockey Club--now Woodbine Entertainment--and was a steward and treasurer of the Jockey Club of Canada. He also was a founding director of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association and a member of the selection committee for the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Roberts is survived by his wife of 46 years, Daphne, and several children. A memorial service will be held March 11 at 1:00 pm at Bloordale United Church, 4258 Bloor St. West, Etobicoke.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Toronto Rehab Foundation-Palliative Care Unit, QEC, 550 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario M5G 2A2, Dorothy Ley Hospice, or Princess Margaret Hospital-Palliative Care Floor.

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