Grant E. "Gene" Riegle (June 3, 1928 – October 17, 2011) was an American harness racing driver and trainer. He was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1992.[2]
Riegle started his harness racing career in 1950.[3] His father, Roy Riegle, was also a driver and trainer. Roy Riegle and his wife were killed in a 1957 auto accident.[4]
At the 1972 Little Brown Jug, Riegle drove Jay Time who was the odds on favorite before the race.[5] Jay Time, who finished in a dead heat with Strike Out one month earlier in the Adios Pace,[6] was scratched after the first heat due to a high temperature.[7]
During the 1981 Woodrow Wilson Pace held at Meadowlands Raceway, Riegle was thrown from his sulky while driving Andre Hanover in the process of trying to avoid a fallen horse. He suffered minor abrasions.[8] 1992 Harness racing horse of the year, Artsplace, was trained by Riegle.[9]
In 1990, Riegle along with Bruce Nickells, were awarded the Glen Garnsey Trophy as United States Trainer of the Year.[10]
Riegle trained 1993 Little Brown Jug winner, Life Sign.[11]
Riegle died at his Greenville, Ohio home on October 17, 2011.[12]
References
- ^ In Memory of Grant E Riegle
- ^ Harness Racing; Western Hanover Appears to Be the Steadiest Shot
- ^ Ohioan Riegle seeks no repeat of harness history.
- ^ Roy Riegle And Delila Riegle[permanent dead link]
- ^ 'Jay Time' is favorite
- ^ Dead heat by pacers in Adios
- ^ Strike Out winner
- ^ Haughton wins Wilson Pace
- ^ Artsplace, Champion Pacer and Sire, Euthanatized
- ^ Awards
- ^ Life Sign is Jug winner
- ^ Gene Riegle, 83, Hall of Fame driver/trainer, dies
Recent Comments