John A. Cashman, Jr.

John A. Cashman Jr., 72, one of harness racing’s most active and influential leaders for many years passed away on September 22, 2012 in Atlantis, Florida. John was born June 30, 1940 to John and Eileen (McGuire) Cashman Sr in Garden City, NY. John is survived by his wife, Nancy: daughters, Susan (John) Coyle, Karen (Bill) Young and sons, John III, Brian (Mary), Robert (Melissa) grandchildren; Kaitlin, Victoria, Bridget, Rives, Michael, Grace, Teddy, Andrew, Brian and Mary. Survived by brothers, Vincent, Peter and Michael; sisters, Elizabeth, Catherine and Eileen. John was predeceased by his parents and sisters Shelia and Patricia. His career in horse racing started as the Director of Racing at Roosevelt Raceway. He then owned and operated Cashman-Magee Sale Company in Saratoga, NY and later became general manager of Castleton Farm in Lexington, KY. John's drive, leadership and love of horses lead him to be named President of numerous important organizations in the field of harness racing including; Castleton Farms, Pompano Park Racetrack, The Red Mile and Tattersalls Sales Company. His time at Pompano Park were some of its most successful seasons, and he secured such races as the Breeders Crown and Matron Stakes. In 1993, John was inducted into the Living Hall of Fame of the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, NY. He won the Horseman of the Year Award from the The Horseman and Fair World in 1987 and the Proximity Award chosen by the U.S. Harness Writers Association in 1989. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Hambletonian Society as well as Chairman of the Society’s Executive Committee. Over the years John served as President of the United States Trotters Association and as President of the Harness Tracks of America. He was a Director of the Maxwell Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky and the Grayson Foundation. In addition, Mr. Cashman was an avid advocate for harness racing and Standardbred breeding throughout the horse racing world, serving as Vice Chairman of the American Horse Council and as a member of the Kentucky Racing Commission. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Lantana, FL. The family will greet friends on Monday September 24, from 6-8pm and on Tuesday September 25th, 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Tillman Funeral Home, West Palm Beach. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame 240 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924 or the American Cancer Society.