Growing up the son of a horse owner and nephew of a trainer, Nick Ritchie didn’t really have a lot of time for the family horses - his sights instead were set on the NHL.

Now a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 2014 first-round draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks is not only a huge lover of Standardbred racing, but he’s made many good friendships amongst its competitors as well. By Dan Fisher.