Toronto, August 21, 2025 -The Mohawk Harness Racing season will present Woodbine horses who have had a life-changing impact on their nearest connections.
This week, Todd Ratchford – a former professional hockey player who recorded his first season of $ 1 million last year has on his way to the O’Brien Future Star Award – and Ritchie Rich.
Trained by Todd’s sister Mary Ratchford, the second -year Trotter has already given the Ratchfords together for a lifetime in just three short years.
Ritchie Rich
Foaled: May 19, 2022
Father: Wheeling N Dealin
Dam: Hello Lola
Wins-Seconds-Drode: 6-3-0
Income: $ 127,850
Trainer: Mary Ratchford
Owner: Cynthia Graham, Carolyn Jarrell and Mary Ratchford
Fokker: Cynthia Graham & William Woolfrey
What were your first impressions of Ritchie Rich?
“Stubbornness. Break him like a yearling, he just wanted to do his own thing. It took some getting used to us and for him to get him in the groove of everything.
“Even simple things such as washing the washing rack were a fight every day. He wouldn’t want to go there because he was afraid or whatever. It just took a lot of time and patience.”
What was it like to form a connection with this horse in the racing bike?
“He made it fairly simple because he is a complete professional when it comes to on the job. Every aspect of his racing is exactly how you would like it. Professional is the best word to describe it.
“He is very relaxed and calm there. It steers perfectly. He is not hot or aggressive or something like that. He is just an absolute pleasure to drive and to be on the circuit.
“He has that also to win. Some horses have it, and some don’t. It is not something you can learn – they have it or they don’t have it. We are very lucky that he has that characteristic.”
Looking back on his Oss Gold victory, which emotions or memories arouses that race?
“Oh, I always think about it. I have a photo in my house, and I see it every day while I walk out the door. It gives you cold shivers and goose bumps and all the good feelings you would like, and it makes you more of it.
“It is addictive to win that kind of races, to have those feelings because they don’t come very often. But if they do that, you want more.
“It was she [Mary’s] First start in gold as a trainer and her very first victory ever. “
Three words to describe him?
“Professional. Athletic. Calm.”
How did he change your life?
“How did he change my life? Well, we knew that this would be our career – my sister and I – and especially for me I knew I wanted to do this, but having a horse when he increases it and gave me an extra boost of trust and understanding of how a good horse really feels in my assets as a driver.
“Only with everything and everyone, when you do your job, you have the feeling that you are good at it. And once there is something where you achieve a big achievement, and you did it as well as you could, it just gives you that extra closure and understanding that:” Okay, I do what I am supposed to be. “
#Game #Changers #Ritchie #Rich