Updated: Richard ‘Nellie’ Wright Passes

Well respected horseman and longtime tack shop owner Richard ‘Nellie’ Wright passed away during the morning hours of Wednesday, September 30. He was in his 87th year. Wright's family has provided an update, as they have announced details for a celebration of life, which will be held this coming weekend.

Known to all as Nellie, Wright raced horses for many years. He and Ernie Brown, who passed away earlier this year, owned a training centre in north Oshawa, Ont., where the late John Hayes began his career and started his Jug winner Strike Out.

“Doug earned his license driving horses for Nellie,” noted Kawartha Downs’ leading driver Gord Brown of his brother Doug, a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Wright, who owned Courtice Auto Wreckers with Harvey ‘Skip’ Ambrose, the current owner of Kawartha Downs, also bred some of his racehorses with many of them carrying the prefix Ritzy. For five decades, Wright also operated R.N. Wright Tack Shop, which has an outlet at Kawartha Downs.

Wright was predeceased by his wife Leona and is survived by his sons Joe, Alan and Steven (Kym), as well as Amanda, who he considered his daughter.

UPDATE: Wright’s family has announced the details for a celebration of life, which will take place this coming Sunday (October 4). It will be held at the Solina Hall (1964 Concession Road 6, Hampton, Ontario) from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any donations be made to Wright’s charity of choice, the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

Also, a moment of silence will be held for Wright prior to the start of the races this Saturday night at Kawartha Downs.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Nellie Wright.

(With files from Kawartha Downs)