Columbus, OH — Richard “Richie” Ringler, 67, died Oct. 14, 2024, doing what he loved best, being around horses and starting races.
Mr. Ringler’s dad first took him to Dana Irving’s farm when he was 10 years old. That was all it took to create his lifelong love of horses and harness racing. He spent all of his free time at the farm. He worked for Dana for years until he got his trainer/driver’s license in the early 1970s.
Mr. Ringler had a special knack with horses that others couldn’t get to the races. He was amazing with babies. He had a special way with them and it was the rare one that didn’t make it to the races.
In 2000, Mike Lachance had reached out to him about a filly they were having problems with, Best Chance Hanna. It didn’t take long for Mr. Ringler to get her to the track and off to a great racing career. Thus began a 16-year partnership between Mr. Ringler and Mike and Pat Lachance.
Mr. Ringler broke, put the foundation under, and even raced some notables such as Share The Delight, Nimble And Quick, Forensic Z Tam, Hanna’s Delight, High Def Z Tam, Lifetime Trust, Hula’s Z Tam, Always B Miki and his special Simon’s Artist, named for Simon Dacas, who was his right-hand man for 25 years.
In 2021, he moved over to the officials side of the business and became the starter for Harrington Raceway. In 2022, he became the starter at Freehold Raceway, and for the last two years when Harrington and Freehold were on summer break, he was the starter at Vernon Downs.
Mr. Ringler took his final lap around the racetrack during race 15 at Harrington Raceway Monday evening.
He was also an avid sports fan and loved his Phillies and Eagles.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Maria; three step-daughters, Heather (Wayne), Ashley, and Morgan; grandchildren, Cierra, Hope, Nicholas, Mary, Kaydence and Jonnie; father, William; brother, Billy (Sherry); niece, Samantha (Matt); nephew, Will (Jaci); great-niece, Jace; and great-nephew, William III. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elsie, in 2017.
Horsemen and friends are invited to share in conversation and light refreshments at Main Street Cafe, 101 Clark St., Harrington, DE, Monday (Oct. 28) from 4-6 p.m.
The family would like to invite relatives and friends to a memorial service at Oxford Presbyterian Church, 6 Pine St., Oxford, PA, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m.