Rettele still riding and training

Thistledown

Richard Rettele is one of the busiest horseman in North America. He has a 30-horse stable at Thistledown and has sent out 11 winners this meet. At age 67, Rettele is also one of the oldest Quarter Horse jockeys in the country.

"I might be the oldest," he said. "I know there's a guy who is 66, but I don't know of anyone older than me."

Last weekend Rettele went to Indiana Downs to ride, and finished second. He then headed north to Mt. Pleasant Meadows in Michigan where he won Sunday's $16,155 LGLQHA Michigan Bred Derby with Senorita Tres, who is trained by his wife, Carol. Senorita Tres has won 10 of her 12 starts.

A native of Kansas, Retelle has a farm in Michigan. His first love is Quarter Horse racing, but he knows Thoroughbred racing puts the food on the table. "There's more money in Thoroughbred racing." he said.

Rettele is 6 for 27 riding Quarter Horses this year, and in his career has won 373 races from 1,726 mounts.