John Stuart Alexander Gilray, D.V.M., an equine veterinarian and former director of the British Columbia Thoroughbred Breeders Association, died on June 5 from cancer. He was 78.

Gilray served as a veterinarian at Hastings Park, then called Exhibition Park, in Vancouver and later became a Thoroughbred breeder. In cooperation with the track, Gilray pioneered a pre-race veterinary inspection credited with substantially reducing breakdowns. 

A 1954 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, Gilray practiced equine medicine in Ontario and British Columbia from 1959 to 2007. He was presented with a lifetime achievement award from British Columbia Horse Council in 2004. In the same year, he was made a honorary veterinarian by the Royal Horse Show in Toronto in recognition of 50 years of volunteer service.

 Gilray founded the Northwest International Horse Show, which, in his 15 years as chairman, became the leading indoor all-breed and performance show in Western Canada. He also served as national vice president of the Canadian Equestrian Federation and was instrumental in the sport receiving funding as an Olympic discipline.

A celebration of Gilray’s life will be held on June 24 at Victory Memorial Gardens in Surrey, British Columbia.