Racing Victoria has expressed profound sorrow at the passing of veteran trainer Steve Richards, who died following a tragic accident last week. The 70-year-old had been in a coma after falling from a tram and striking his head on the ground in Melbourne.
Family and Industry Mourn
Richards' family had anticipated a long road to recovery, but on Thursday, Racing Victoria confirmed that he had succumbed to his injuries. He is survived by his wife Maryanne and daughters Brooke and Laura.
Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison offered heartfelt condolences on behalf of the entire Victorian racing industry. Morrison said, 'Our thoughts are with the trainers and staff at Flemington, where Steve was a popular and hard-working member of the training ranks for many years, along with the numerous jockeys who rode for him throughout his training career.'
A Respected Career
Richards trained two Group 1 winners, 20 years apart in 1990 and 2010, during a lengthy career that began in the 1970s as an apprentice jockey. He was highly respected for his ability to identify and develop young horses and for his willingness to help others advance their careers in the sport.
Australian Trainers' Association president Troy Corstens shared his personal loss, saying, 'I have known Steve my whole life, and Flemington will not be the same without seeing his smiling face each morning. Steve Richards was a VRC trainer in the truest sense. He understood this place, horses, and people.'
A Legacy of Dedication
Corstens praised Richards' eye for judging yearlings, noting that few in the industry could match his ability. 'But beyond his ability, it was his work ethic and love for the animal that truly set him apart. He was always there, always working, and always doing it for the right reasons. Flemington has lost one of its own. Victorian racing and its training ranks have lost a good man. And those of us lucky enough to have known Steve have lost a friend we will carry with us always.'
Richards' passing leaves a void in the Victorian racing community, where he was admired for his dedication and passion for the sport.
