Dick Richardson dies at age 72

Dick Richardson, perhaps best known for training and driving Marauder to an upset victory over the undefeated Nihilator in the 1985 Adios, died over the Fourth of July holiday weekend in Chapel Hill, NC. He was 72. 

On Aug. 10, 1985, Richardson guided Marauder to victory in the first heat of the Adios, beating Chairmanoftheboard and Dignatarian, with Nihilator a surprising fourth. The time of the mile—1:52.1—was a world record. Nihilator came back and won the second heat, requiring a raceoff, but he was scratched and Marauder won the “Pace for the Orchids” in a walkover. 

Richardson trained Marauder and drove him to all of his victories, which in addition to the Adios included an elimination for the Meadowlands Pace, a division of the American National, and the Hayes Memorial at Du Quoin as a 3 year old, and the Fox Stakes as a 2 year old. 

Richardson, a native of Pennsylvania, graduated from high school in Erie, Pa., where he won City Championship honors as a heavyweight wrestler. He continued wrestling at Waynesburg College. After leaving college he followed his grandfather and father into harness racing and served as an assistant to his father and to Eldon Harner before going out on his own. 

Richardson raced horses all over North America, but spent most of his time in Ohio and Lexington. In addition to Marauder, some of his top performers were the stakes winners Crysta’s Best, who captured the 1990 Breeders Crown, Cotton Hanover, Billy Dart, JJ’s Hallmark, Golden Sovereign, Star Celtic, Scandal Sheet, Proper Time and Armbro Eldorado. 

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