Arthur (Ontario) born and raised harness racing driver Bruce Richardson recently claimed his third driving premiership at Hanover Raceway. It was his fifth title in a career spanning back to 1990. He has also been champion twice at Clinton Raceway.
The 42-year-old said he still got a huge amount of delight driving winners. “That’s what keeps me going,” he told Harnesslink.
Richardson drives at several tracks throughout Ontario and is regularly ranked in the top half dozen. He is a real tradesman who is highly regarded by his peers.
This year he won 45 races and $243,350 at Clinton – nine more than second placed Ryan Holliday. His UDR strike rate was an impressive 0.310.
It’s been a season to remember for the likeable Canadian. On August 16 he steered Winwood Miriah to his 2,500th career win.As at the end of November his tally stood at 2,555 wins from 18,854 drives.
He’s also placed 5,006 times during that time for career purses of $15.7 million.
This year Richardson has so far won 209 races and $1.3 million in stakes. His best year was in 2008 when he bagged 307 winners and $2.1 million.
On August 10 this year, he also recorded his 400th training win at Hanover Raceway with Keystone Debonair. As at the end of November that number had increased by two with career stakes of $1.9 million.
“I enjoy both training and driving. They both keep me busy. I especially enjoy breaking in babies and watching their careers develop. It’s something I learnt from my late father (Bryan) when I was young.
“Ever since he introduced me to horses this is all I have ever wanted to do. I still get a big kick out of this job. I couldn’t imagine myself ever doing anything else,” said Richardson who lives less than half an hour from Grand River Raceway.
Richardson worked for his father when he left school and then spent a year with Wayne Henry before working for a decade on the Agra Lea Farm breaking and working in young standardbreds.
Thereafter he has worked on his own and today describes himself as a “grassroots’ horseman who doesn’t mind plying his trade at smaller Canadian tracks.
“I’ve got about seven in work at the moment. I’ve had a really good year and it all started with a good run at London at the start of the year. That gave me a good launch pad in 2011,” he said.
Asked what his biggest win to date was, Richardson replied:
“I’ve won a bunch of races but the one that sticks out was winning behind 3yo trotting filly Friendly Amigo in a $130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes final a couple of years ago. That race was at grand River Raceway.”
He said Angus Hall mare BJ’s Fancy was the best horse he had driven. That trotter went on to win 33 races and $280,232.
Looking to the future Richardson said he was hopeful his yearlings Shes Got Rules and The Voice would develop into nice Sires Stakes horses next year.
“You are always hopeful a champion will come along and these two are progressing along nicely. At this early stage I am pleased with they are at,” Richardson said.
Richardson is married to Mary Jo and they have two children – Maddison (12) and Bryan (11).
Outside of harness racing Richardson said he was a big hockey fan.
“I still play defense for my team but that position means nothing really because I wander all over the rink. I’m also a big fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs,” said Richardson a specialist trainer of trotters.