In this edition of 'Trainer Tuesday' we look at one of racing’s senior statesmen, Cambridge-based Frank Ritchie who has over 40 years of service in the industry and trained champion galloper Bonecrusher.

 

The athletic chestnut, came into Franks's life as he was trying to establish himself within the top echelon of trainers in 1982. Bonecrusher's first hit out on the track was in 1984 and he went on to win 9 Group One races, 3 Group Two races, and 2 Group Three races.

 

The galloper became the people's champion in the spring of 1986 in the Cox Plate, when the chestnut prevailed in the 'Race of the Century' against Waverley Star. The two athletic horses went at it from the 600m mark with Bonecrusher narrowly prevailing in a titanic head-to-head struggle.

 

 

Ritchie has also trained Group 1 winners Showella, Bluebird The Word, and New Zealand Cup winner Showcause who also won the City Of Auckland Cup and Avondale Cup Group Two features in 2011 to name a few successes.

 

Racing runs in the Ritchie family, with Frank idolizing and following in the footsteps of his father who was also a trainer. His son, successful trainer in his own right, Shaune Ritchie is also based in Cambridge and was the strapper for Bonecrusher back in 1984.

 

Retirement doesn't seem to be on the agenda for Frank who has 12 horses currently in training, Alpha Charlie, Kya Khoob Lagti Ho, and Stunning Maire are recent runners to look out for. But when that time comes his name and legacy alongside Bonecrusher are etched in Australasian racing folklore forever.