Maine horseman Donnie Richards injured in training accident
January 14, 2014,by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications
Freehold, NJ — Legendary Maine horseman Donnie Richards, 80, was seriously injured last week when he was kicked in the face by a horse he was hitching up, according to a Facebook page maintained by his daughter, Becky Richards Allyn.
LeeAnne Pooler photo
Donnie Richards has undergone a pair of surgeries for facial injuries.
Richards has undergone surgery twice for facial injuries at Maine Medical Center where he remains hospitalized. He is stable following the most recent surgery Monday, but cannot yet have visitors or calls.
Richards drove in his first race in 1951 and has 4,323 victories to his credit. His mounts have banked $4,393,710. Since the USTA began compiling trainer’s statistics in 1991, Richards pupils have won 839 races and banked $2,745,503.
Updates can be found on Facebook at Donnie Richards Recovery Page and will be posted here as more information is known.
- Donald Richards’ family offers injury update (Sunday, January 19, 2014)
The family of Donald Richards, an owner, trainer and driver from Cumberland Fairgrounds, Maine, would like to thank the harness racing community for their support since Donald’s accident on Jan. 8.