by Thom Pye

Dick Neville, well-known farrier of 60 years, and the subject of Dean Hoffman’s award-winning 2004 Hoof Beats article “Shoer to the Stars” has announced his retirement as a blacksmith.

Originally from Franklin, Ind., he was a fixture at Scioto Downs for over 48 years. Neville performed at such illustrious venues as the Grand Circuit meet in Lexington, K.Y., as well as the winter meet at Pompano Park during its heyday.

The list of luminaries he has shared his skills with are long and impressive with the likes of Delvin Miller, Stanley Dancer, Howard Kissinger, George Sholty, Gene Reigle, Joe O’Brien and so on. While the number of equine stars he shod are too numerous to list but include: Albatross, Super Bowl, Delmonica Hanover, Most Happy Fella, Sonsam, French Chef, Happy Motoring and Western Hanover.

Neville takes pride these horses figure so prominently in the lineage of all of today’s champions.

Located in the Columbus, Ohio, area, he will be available for consultation for those scratch-your-head type of horses and would be happy to share his expertise, as well as a few anecdotes.

Neville also wants to extend a heart-felt thank you to all the fine folks at Scioto Downs for such an enjoyable career.

If you’d care to send him your regards, please give him a text or a call at (614) 216-1096.