The local horse racing fraternity has reacted with a great deal of sadness when the news of the death of former champion jockey of the Southern Caribbean Venice "Pappy" Richards was made known on Monday night.
It was reported that Richards died at the Humming Bird Farm next to the Santa Rosa Park racing facility in Arima. He has been living in T&T for the past decade.
In a glittering career in the "Sport of Kings" which spanned some 55 years of continuous involvement, Richards won every major event on the racing calendar in T&T.
Richards has chalked up more than 1,000 winners in his long and illustrious career. He was a master of his profession, whose achievement will be difficult to match.
The legendary Barbadian-born jockey was employed with the Arima Race Club (ARC) until last year as a consultant.
He was a legend in race riding in T&T and was the most decorated jockey in Barbados.
Richards’ first triumph was on Bentom in 1986 and he followed up with three wins on Sandford Prince in 1989, 1991 and 1992.
The soft-spoken Richards was the champion jockey of this twin-island state on nine occasions. He first won the jockey's championship in 1968 and and won it on three consecutive occasions thereafter. He then came back to be victorious from 1973-78 when he rode for the Marabella 'Maestro' Eric "Colt" Durant. He ended his career when he won his final championship in 1982 and he was inducted into racing's "Hall of Fame" along with compatriot and legend Challenor Jones in 1983.
Richards won the Trinidad Derby on two occasions for Durant when he rode Royal Colours and Royal Salute to victory in 1982 and 1983. His first win in the "Run For The Roses" was in the Cherry and Black Silks of owner Senator Alwin Poon Tip.
He backed up his success in T&T with success in Barbados as he won the prestigious Sandy Lane Gold Cup four times, a feat only surpassed by Jalon Samuel, a year ago. Jonathan Jones and Patrick Husband have also rode for Gold Cup winners.
The top jockey was aboard leading thoroughbreds such as Quian, Penny Opera, Qui Va La, Manaldo and Windy Hill and he was also aboard the classy and talented Hilario for champion trainer Joe Hadeed.
Two years ago, Richards was quoted as saying: "Winning the Trinidad Derby meant more to him than the Gold Cup. He noted that his wins on Royal Colour and Royal Salute made him a very happy man."
Richards, who hailed from Tweedside Road, St Michael, and was educated at the Modern High School, rode at eight different tracks in the United States, but never in Canada.
When contacted on Tuesday about the passing of Richards, president of the Arima Race Club (ARC) Robert Bernard said, "I was saddened to hear that we have lost another racing legend in Venice Richards. He was a very quiet man but he was a giant on horses. His achievement stand out for themselves. He has been assisting the Arima Race Club for a long time and he will be sorely missed. I extend my condolences to his family."
Former champion trainer and Hall of Famer, Joe Hadeed was saddened when he got the news at his home.
He said, "This is a great loss to racing. He was an asset to the racing industry. Pappy was a true gentleman and we had a great relationship and we know that he is a racing legend. In my career he has won 32 races for me and his riding of Hilario in the Midsummer Classic stands out. He was one of the best jockeys we have seen in these parts. My condolences to his family. We have lost another racing icon."