After making a fortune in the oil business, Frank mcmahon ventured into racing in the 1950's as a partner with Max Bell in Alberta Ranches.

They raced several top notch horses, including Four and Twenty, and Flutterby who finished seventh and eight as an entry in the 1961 Kentucky Derby and Meadow Court, winner of the 1965 Irish Derby.

At about the time of Meadow Court's success, McMahon decided to do it alone and became a dominant force at Exhibition Park and eventually throughout North America.

The first local stakes winner to carry his black and gold silks was Bright Monarch, who triumphed in the 1966 British Columbia Derby after finishing third in the Queen's Plate.

It was the start of more than 30 stakes victories over the next five years as he sent out the beautifully bred runners such as Dorothy Glynn and Swinging Apache, offsprings of the great Northern Dancer. Swinging Apache won the Canadian Derby for his seventh victory but was retired on the eve of the British Columbia Derby.

In 1969, McMahon had three champions at Exhibition Park. Dark Imagery was the top two-year-old colt, Dorothy Glynn the leading filly and Regal Jingle was the Horse of the Year for the second straight season.

Other notable stakes winners were Love Your Host, Royal Sue and Bettina M.

His silks were also being carried with distinction in some of the biggest races in North America. Majestic Prince won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness before being suffering his first defeat in the Belmont and was retired.

He sent Majestic Prince's brother Crowned Prince to England where he was named top two-year-old before being forced into early retirement.

McMahon had another crack at the Triple Crown in 1975 when Diablo finished third in the Derby and Preakness and fourth in the Belmont.

For a few years he was always among the leading owners in Southern California, campaigning such outstanding runners as Triple Bend, Baffle, Jungle Savage, Jungle Road and Society II.

Illness forced him out of racing in 1979.

McMahon was born in Moyie, B.C. and the head office of West Coast Transmisson was in Vancouver. When Majestic Prince was making headlines around North America, McMahon was always referred to as a Vancouver Industrialist, thus bringing reflected glory to the city.