from harnessracing.com

Lexington, KY — Horseman Dick Oldfield, 84, of Lexington, Ky., best known for training the top pacer True Duane, died March 11, 2018, in Louisville, Ky., after a short battle with cancer.

Born June 14, 1933, in Toledo, Ohio, he was the son of George B. and Maude (Smith) Oldfield.

Following his graduation from high school, Mr. Oldfield married and started his own trucking company and later with his father, George, Adrian Sand and Gravel Company which supplied sand and stone to build many of the state and local highways in southeastern Michigan and northwest Ohio. The location is now known as Lake Madison.

After his success in the gravel business, he chose to devote his time to the harness horse business. His first real success came in 1965 with the pacer True Duane p,3,1:56.4 ($366,050), who defeated the great Bret Hanover in his final lifetime start in a world record time.

Mr. Oldfield established Oldfield Farm in Adrian, Mich., in 1968 and had much success with his homebreds including Final Cheers p,1:49.3 ($1,112,659) and Thin Blue Line p,1:50.3f ($816,644). He believed that Michigan-sired horses could compete at the top levels in the Standardbred industry. One of the racehorses he was most proud to have trained was Royal Strength 2,1:57 ($409,298), voted the Dan Patch Award as top 2-year-old trotting colt in 1991. He continued to train horses up to the past year, enjoying his time in Lexington, Hoosier Park, and Pinehurst, N.C.

Mr. Oldfield is survived by his children, Patti (Bill) Gira, Cynthia Reed (Joe Yoerg) and Rick (Lucy); grandchildren, Robert (Laura) Reed, Corey, Christian Reed and Rachel; brother, Ronald; and dear friend, Carolyn Turner.

At his request, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program or the charity of their choice.