Racing is paying tribute to veteran trainer Steve Richards who died following a fall.
The Group 1 winning trainer, 70, fell in the city recently that left him in a coma. He passed away on Wednesday and is survived by wife Maryanne and daughters Brooke and Laura.
In a statement, Racing Victoria and the Australian Trainers’ Association paid tribute to the impact Richards had on racing.
‘’It is with great sadness that Racing Victoria (RV) and the Australian Trainers Association (ATA) acknowledge the passing of long-time Flemington trainer Steve Richards, 70, who succumbed to injuries sustained after falling and hitting his head last week,’’ the statement said.
‘’In a career in racing that spanned more than half a century, Richards was first licensed as an apprentice jockey in the early 1970s before obtaining a trainer’s licence in Victoria in 1985 which he carried through to his shock passing.
‘’Richards celebrated the first of two Group 1 victories when three-year-old Ark Regal took out the 1990 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.
‘’His second success at the elite level came when Rostova won the 2010 Sportingbet Classic (now Robert Sangster Stakes) in Adelaide. A beaten favourite in the 2009 Blue Diamond, Rostova bounced back to claim the Group 2 VRC Sires Produce at her next start to deliver Richards one of his biggest home track successes.
‘’Among Richards’ other standout performers were talented racehorse and stallion Blazing Sword, black type winners Cahuita, Holbein, Marcado and Playwright, along with city winners All Tanked Up, Appian Way, Bel Shoes, Irazu and Light Sweeper.’’
Richards saddled up his last winner coming at Horsham in February 2026 with Punic War.
Fellow Flemington-based trainer and ATA President, Troy Corstens, said going to work ‘’will not be the same without seeing his smiling face each morning’’.
“Steve Richards was a VRC trainer in the truest sense. He understood this place. He understood horses and he understood people,’’ Corstens said.
“As a judge of a yearling, he was outstanding. Steve had an eye that very few in this industry could match when he was given the chance.
“But beyond his ability, it was his work ethic and love for the animal that truly set him apart. He was always there, always working, and always doing it for the right reasons.
“Flemington has lost one of its own. More broadly, Victorian racing and its training ranks have lost a good man. And those of us lucky enough to have known Steve have lost a friend we will carry with us always.”
Racing Victoria CEO also paid tribute Aaron Morrison.
“Racing Victoria extends its heartfelt condolences on behalf of the entire Victorian racing industry to the family and friends of Steve Richards on the news of his passing in such tragic circumstances,’’ he said.
“Our thoughts are also with the trainers and staff at Flemington where Steve was a very popular and hard-working member of the training ranks for many years, along with the numerous jockeys who rode for him throughout his training career.
“Steve was a highly respected trainer, especially for his ability to identify and develop young horses, and he also was someone that was willing to help others further their careers in the sport which is a great quality.”
