Dale Schenian co-founded Canterbury Park in 1994 with Curt and Randy Sampson. Mr. Dale passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Friday morning in Florida.
“His big smile, bigger heart, and larger-than-life personality helped define Canterbury Park for the past 29 years and will be sorely missed by his many friends,” company CEO Randy Sampson said in a communication to Canterbury employees.
“Mr. Dale was a Canterbury Hall of Fame horse owner and breeder and also Hall of Fame person. He loved everything about Canterbury Park including our team members, the horses, the gambling, and the trainers, jockeys and others involved in the sport of horse racing in Minnesota,” Sampson said.
Mr. Dale was a driving force behind the purchase and re-opening of Canterbury in 1994. He was on the scene regularly that first year of operation when Canterbury began to offer simulcast racing to build purse money for the ’95 meet. He encouraged excellence from the staff and in return offered friendship. When racing returned that next summer he was at the track daily, in the clubhouse, thoroughly enjoying the action and the people.
Without Mr. Dale it is doubtful there would be horse racing in Minnesota today.
