Trevor Ritchie Retires From Driving
Trot Insider has learned that O'Brien Award winning driver Trevor Ritchie, one of the most respected and accomplished drivers in Canadian harness racing, is handing over the reins and retiring from active competition.
Ritchie, who cut his teeth driving at Western Fair before moving to the Ontario Jockey Club, has won both the prestigious North America Cup (Quite A Sensation, 1986) and Hambletonian (Yankee Paco, 2000) in his long and illustrious driving career.
"Driving horses gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful people and go to a lot of places that I would not have otherwise visited and I consider myself lucky," Ritchie told Trot Insider on Monday. "I have been very fortunate in my career to have driven some great horses and I would like to thank all the trainers and owners that trusted me to drive for them. I would also like to thank all the caretakers who as we all know were a very important part in any success I've had."
Citing chronic back and neck pain, Trevor Ritchie retires with 3,710 wins and more than $70 million in earnings. He was the driver for such notable stakes winners as free-for-aller Armbro Agile, Frugal Gourmet, Road Machine, Banker Hall, Rotation, Peaceful Way and Majestic Son among a long list of top pacing and trotting talent over the last quarter century.
"Over the last many years I have been battling a recurrence of back problems from an old racing injury and more recently a neck condition," said Ritchie. "While I could usually deal with the back problem, the neck issue can be very painful and when it flares up I lose a lot, if not all mobility in my neck which of course is not ideal when driving in a race. It definitely had a negative effect on my ability to drive.
"Because of these ongoing issues it became very uncomfortable to be in the bike on a lot of nights and I had to book off my drives on occasion. Of course that is not a good situation to be putting my trainers in, having to scramble for a driver at the last minute."
Although driving has been his passion for more than 35 years, the physical issues prompted Ritchie to make what he calls "the tough but correct decision to hang up the helmet."
Long sought after for his advice in yearling conformation, and employed by Brittany Farms in such a capacity, Ritchie stated that he doesn't have any immediate plans but hopes to stay involved in the Standardbred industry.
I want to thank everyone for
I want to thank everyone for the kind words not only on this web-site but also those who phoned or emailed. To be appreciated is a wonderful feeling & I wish all of you the best.
Trevor
Many Many Thanks!! Trevor,
Many Many Thanks!!
Trevor, what a pleasure working with you over the years. There needs to be more people with the values, skill and honesty that you possess. Ronnie and I were lucky enough for you to drive our mare Anaffairtoremember on your last drive. You even gave her a new lifetime mark. Good luck to you and Gemma in the future and keep in touch. Claude Brault
Thank You very Much for all
Thank You very Much for all the great Memories. One stands out in particular. When you won the Meadowlands Pace with Frugal Gourmet I had been there for a week. Not only did you pay for my Weeks vacation, I was profitable as well. Also your win in the Hambletonian with Yankee Paco was a very momentous moment for you and Doug Macintosh. Your wins with Peaceful Way were awesome as well. Good Luck and Health as well in your retirement. We will never forget you Trevor. Your fans Dale and Don.
As a former caretaker for Cal
As a former caretaker for Cal Campbell, many trips to the winners circle with Trevor took place, and I would like to say thanks Trevor for all of those pictures on my walls that still hang proudly for the last 25 years!!!!
Always got 100%, always a
Always got 100%, always a shot to win, the most honest driver in this sport... get well Trevor, too young to call it a career.
Trevor: As a bettor and long
Trevor:
As a bettor and long term fan of Standardbred Racing, I was always comfortable putting my money on you because I knew you always gave your best effort regardless of the results. Every time a legend like you retires, the industry loses because the newbies will not know the early challenges and hardships that drivers like you had to go through to bring the Standardbred Industry to where it is today.
I'm sure that the real horsemen who recognize your contributions will want to pick your brain from your experiences, for their success today. Enjoy your days ahead and thank you for your contribution to the industry, and for the fans and the dollars you helped me make, that impressed the friends I brought to the track in past years. All the best.... and thank you for the many exciting races you gave us.
Trevor is one of the very
Trevor is one of the very best horsemen of all time and the most calm, cool and collected driver ever. When Stanley Dancer uses you as his driver you know you're good.
Having said that, he is probably the 'thriftiest' person I ever met. I kidded him in Ottawa a couple of years ago. He forgot his racing gear and I told him it was probably because the airline would charge him extra for baggage.
I spent many, many years stabled beside him at Greenwood and Mohawk and he drove many horses for me, which was a thrill for me.
I will always be thankful to him. He sold me Perfect Out.
Good luck my friend, you and Gemma deserve it!
Your old boss would have been
Your old boss would have been very proud of what you have accomplished in this business Trevor, go Black and White. I hope you can get some of your health problems under control and enjoy what ever adventure you want to tackle next. Best of Luck. Sonny
Looking back at all the years
Looking back at all the years Trevor drove for us, he was loyal to our stable, good to our horses and always provided valuable input. It made the trainers job much easier. He also won the Damsel for us, and many FFA's with Mcdylan, Jessica Joy A and Robitaille. He drove Ramas Pleasure to an Obrien award the same year he won driver of the year. So many accomplishments to be proud of Trevor! Our friendship will continue into retirement I'm sure....it's your turn to buy at the Keg!! Wishing you good health and all the best!!
I second Dan Fisher's
I second Dan Fisher's sentiments. A true professional and a fierce competitor. His competitiveness probably even led to situations where we didn't see "eye to eye", but some of my best racing achievements had Trevor Ritchie at the helm. Meadowlands Pace and Metro Pace would be the two most significant. He is recognized as a driver and conformation specialist, but I also know him as a horseman and still to this day reference advice he has given.
Thanks many great memories.
Thanks many great memories. Winning the Hambletonian was the pinnacle of my racing career. Enjoy retirement my friend!
The first time I ever
The first time I ever paddocked a horse at Greenwood, Trevor was the driver... I was about 14. He came down to the horse 2-3 mins before post parade, took his program out and discussed the upcoming race, and the horse, with me... a kid. Made me feel pretty good. The last time he ever drove for me was a lot of years later in 2004... The Damsel final at Woodbine. Still, he came down to the horse about 2-3 mins before post parade and discussed the horse and the upcoming race with me. Always a true professional. I have no idea where that first horse finished at Greenwood all those years back... but I do know that Trevor won that Damsel final for me in '04. Thanks again Trev! The racetrack won't be the same place without you!