Hall of Fame

Heading into the 1991 season, Gene Riegle had all but given up the driving duties in his busy stable, leaving those responsibilities to his sons. However, the opportunity to drive his top three-year-old colt Artsplace at Scioto Downs resulted in the fastest mile in the history of the track - a 1:52.2 timing, also the fastest in Riegle's career; a career as a trainer-driver that extended nearly five decades. A highly respected "colt man," Riegle patiently worked with green two-year-olds and sent many of them to the track primed to become champions. Some of the top horses he handled include Arnie Almahurst, Artsplace, Excited, Jay Time, Leah Almahurst, Life Sign, Op'Art, Three Diamonds, Troublemaker and Tucson Hanover. Riegle's major stakes wins included multiple victories in the Breeders Crown in 1984, 1987 and 1990 in the Adios, the Countess Adios, Kentucky Futurity, the Messenger, the Jugette and the Little Brown Jug. Gene Riegle was inducted into the Living Hall of Fame in 1992. He died on October 17, 2011 at his Greenville, Ohio home.

Published in the Harness Racing Museum's Hall of Fame kiosks