Former jockey and trainer Griffith dies at 58

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Ricky Griffith, a former jockey and trainer in Ontario, died Aug. 1 at age 58 after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“He went peacefully in his sleep, at home with his family,” said trainer Ted Holder, a life-long friend of Griffith’s.

A native of Barbados, Griffith rode in Ontario from 1985 to 1998 and won 494 races during that time. He won nine stakes, including the 1992 Shady Well on Sermon Time and the 1995 Cup and Saucer aboard Crown Attorney.

After a stint as trainer Mark Casse’s Woodbine assistant, Griffith trained from 2009 to 2022, during which he won 205 races, including nine stakes. His last added-money victory came with Sav in the 2019 La Prevoyante. He also notched three stakes with Dan the Tin Man.

Griffith’s keen eye for a promising young horse was on display when he purchased Ria Antonia for $9,000 at a Kentucky yearling sale and then sold her before she won the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies by disqualification.

Arrangements are pending.