Tribute to Venice Richards Caribbean Horse Racing Icon
One Caribbean Nation.
Venice Richards was one of the best, if not the best jockey the Southern Caribbean has produced. He had it all and he did it all.
“Pappy” as he was reverently dubbed, was the epitome of horseracing excellence. He won the most prestigious races, rode the best horses and provided some of the most exciting finishes race fans could have ever hoped for.
Horses like Bentom, Sandford Prince, Quain, Royal Colours, Royal Salute, Quisical and Street Vendor are some that had the distinct services of the frequent Caribbean champion jockey.
Venice Richards was the master of his skills. He had class. He had style and poise.
His judgment of pace was uncanny. Whether he was in the lead or tracking somewhere in the chasing pack, his determination and ability to win were never absent.
Some of the most exciting finishes I have ever had the honour and privilege to broadcast came compliments of this great king of the saddle.
For me, Venice Richards was a maestro.
Like a master musician playing an instrument he combined his phenomenal skills with his mount’s class to produce a winning symphony.
We talk about poetry in motion. But Richards was more than that. He not only wrote the poem, he put music to it and then performed it.
Like so many top sports people, Venice Richards came from humble beginnings. Born and raised in the Carrington Village, Tweedside Road district in St. Michael, horseracing took him to great heights. Not only did he conquer his homeland but neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago fell to his prowess.
Although he rose to the status of a sporting legend Venice remained the same humble soul from Tweedside Road, Carrington Village.
Some might say he walked with kings but never lost the common touch.
Richards was one of the first Caribbean jockeys to explore the North American riding scene. Between 1971 and 1972 he won no fewer than 85 races riding the New York circuit.
But while he was in the sporting spotlight there were two sides to Venice Richards. On horseback he was the consummate professional but on the ground it was different. A man of few words, he was shy and could be withdrawn or even introverted.
There’s a story about him travelling with a group from Port of Spain to Marabella in San Fernando, Trinidad, without saying a word. On arrival someone asked about his mounts. Only then did he reply: “With a bit of luck, I may win a few.”
Like many Caribbean sports personalities Richards had his challenges with the public.
One such was when he was beaten on favourite Bold Mover in the 1985 Cockspur Gold Cup.
The big black horse had picked up the running more than four furlongs from home and then faded as Trinidad’s Frisky Wharf ran away with the victory.
Some race fans felt that Richards had made a terrible and unforgivable mistake by moving too soon and they did not fail to voice their opinion. What they did not know, and Richards explained to me later, Bold Mover refused to be held up and simply ran away with him. In fighting against the bit the headstrong animal used up too much energy and had nothing left for the finish.
Because of the Bold Mover event, Venice Richards approached subsequent Gold Cup races with some trepidation. None more so than the following year.
He was booked to partner champion Bentom in the 1986 renewal of the Cockspur Cup. This time he sought out former champion jockey and friend Chally Jones and a few others for advice.
I was among those in whom he confided.
It was humbling that this great champion and legend was asking my opinion about riding a race. I had never sat on a horse a race day and he had not only ridden several champions but had won most of the important races in the region.
My advice was straightforward. Forget the hype. Ride it like any Saturday feature race.
And he did just that, as Bentom carried him to the first of four Barbados Gold Cup victories.
My fondest memory of Venice Richards is not his winning any of the big races. In fact it all happened in a race for the lowest class. He was riding a horse called M’Appel for the Goddard’s stable and his good friend Godfrey Griffith was astride Baton Rouge for trainer D’arcy Flatts. Griffith swung into the homestretch in front and felt like a winner.
However Richards could be seen cruising up on the outside. Griffith appeared to panic and started to use his whip. But Venice, as he drew level and started to go clear, cleverly plucked it from his hand. The champion, with a smile on his face, had time enough to cheekily look back at his friend and opponent.
“Pappy” or as we called you in our early days, “Is-um”, thanks for the memories and the excitement you brought. My life and profession have certainly been enriched by knowing and encountering you. When the history of Caribbean horseracing is written you will certainly be given prominence.
Mike Goddard is a retired Sports Journalist.
Mahogany Coconut Note
For his sweeping successes and service to sport, Richards earned from the Barbados Government a National Award in 1991, the Silver Crown of Merit (SCM). He was also inducted into Barbados Racing Hall of Fame and also the racing Hall of Fame for Trinidad and Tobago.
Tribute to Venice Richards
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| Venice Richards |
Mike Goddard (FP)
“Pappy” as he was reverently dubbed, was the epitome of horseracing excellence. He won the most prestigious races, rode the best horses and provided some of the most exciting finishes race fans could have ever hoped for.
Horses like Bentom, Sandford Prince, Quain, Royal Colours, Royal Salute, Quisical and Street Vendor are some that had the distinct services of the frequent Caribbean champion jockey.
Venice Richards was the master of his skills. He had class. He had style and poise.
His judgment of pace was uncanny. Whether he was in the lead or tracking somewhere in the chasing pack, his determination and ability to win were never absent.
Some of the most exciting finishes I have ever had the honour and privilege to broadcast came compliments of this great king of the saddle.
For me, Venice Richards was a maestro.
Like a master musician playing an instrument he combined his phenomenal skills with his mount’s class to produce a winning symphony.
We talk about poetry in motion. But Richards was more than that. He not only wrote the poem, he put music to it and then performed it.
Like so many top sports people, Venice Richards came from humble beginnings. Born and raised in the Carrington Village, Tweedside Road district in St. Michael, horseracing took him to great heights. Not only did he conquer his homeland but neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago fell to his prowess.
Although he rose to the status of a sporting legend Venice remained the same humble soul from Tweedside Road, Carrington Village.
Some might say he walked with kings but never lost the common touch.
Richards was one of the first Caribbean jockeys to explore the North American riding scene. Between 1971 and 1972 he won no fewer than 85 races riding the New York circuit.
But while he was in the sporting spotlight there were two sides to Venice Richards. On horseback he was the consummate professional but on the ground it was different. A man of few words, he was shy and could be withdrawn or even introverted.
There’s a story about him travelling with a group from Port of Spain to Marabella in San Fernando, Trinidad, without saying a word. On arrival someone asked about his mounts. Only then did he reply: “With a bit of luck, I may win a few.”
Like many Caribbean sports personalities Richards had his challenges with the public.
One such was when he was beaten on favourite Bold Mover in the 1985 Cockspur Gold Cup.
The big black horse had picked up the running more than four furlongs from home and then faded as Trinidad’s Frisky Wharf ran away with the victory.
Some race fans felt that Richards had made a terrible and unforgivable mistake by moving too soon and they did not fail to voice their opinion. What they did not know, and Richards explained to me later, Bold Mover refused to be held up and simply ran away with him. In fighting against the bit the headstrong animal used up too much energy and had nothing left for the finish.
Because of the Bold Mover event, Venice Richards approached subsequent Gold Cup races with some trepidation. None more so than the following year.
He was booked to partner champion Bentom in the 1986 renewal of the Cockspur Cup. This time he sought out former champion jockey and friend Chally Jones and a few others for advice.
I was among those in whom he confided.
It was humbling that this great champion and legend was asking my opinion about riding a race. I had never sat on a horse a race day and he had not only ridden several champions but had won most of the important races in the region.
My advice was straightforward. Forget the hype. Ride it like any Saturday feature race.
And he did just that, as Bentom carried him to the first of four Barbados Gold Cup victories.
My fondest memory of Venice Richards is not his winning any of the big races. In fact it all happened in a race for the lowest class. He was riding a horse called M’Appel for the Goddard’s stable and his good friend Godfrey Griffith was astride Baton Rouge for trainer D’arcy Flatts. Griffith swung into the homestretch in front and felt like a winner.
However Richards could be seen cruising up on the outside. Griffith appeared to panic and started to use his whip. But Venice, as he drew level and started to go clear, cleverly plucked it from his hand. The champion, with a smile on his face, had time enough to cheekily look back at his friend and opponent.
“Pappy” or as we called you in our early days, “Is-um”, thanks for the memories and the excitement you brought. My life and profession have certainly been enriched by knowing and encountering you. When the history of Caribbean horseracing is written you will certainly be given prominence.
Mike Goddard is a retired Sports Journalist.
Mahogany Coconut Note
For his sweeping successes and service to sport, Richards earned from the Barbados Government a National Award in 1991, the Silver Crown of Merit (SCM). He was also inducted into Barbados Racing Hall of Fame and also the racing Hall of Fame for Trinidad and Tobago.
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| Barbados National Flag |
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| Trinidad and Tobago National Flag |
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