Ricky Griffith, who rode, trained at Woodbine, dies at age 58

Ricky Griffith, who fought Lou Gehrig’s disease as he continued to train horses at Woodbine, died Tuesday. He was 58.

His death was reported by Daily Racing Form.

“Woodbine and our racing community is mourning the passing of Ricky Griffith,” a track statement said Wednesday on Facebook. “We extend our sincere condolences to all of Griffith’s family and friends.”

A former jockey, Griffith moved from his birthplace in Barbados to Canada, riding from 1985 to 1998. According to Equibase, he had 4,916 starts with 494 winners and purse earnings of US$7,604,228. Griffith’s brother Chris rode from 1988 to 2017.

After working as an assistant to trainer Mark Casse, Griffith went out on his own in 2009, saddling 1,347 starters, including 205 winners, for earnings totaling US$6,677,460.

Griffith’s last starter was in December. Pino in a Purse was his last winner, racing to victory in a Nov. 4 claiming race at Woodbine.