User:Ritchey77

Tim Ritchey, third of eight children in his family, was born on May 27th 1951 in Emsworth, Pennsylvania. Tim grew up in Ross, Pennsylvania and started riding when he just 3 years old. He graduated from North Hills High School in 1969 and learned horsemanship at his uncle's academy, William Beatty Riding Academy, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania.

After high school, Ritchey went to the Potomac Horse Center in Potomac, Maryland for a 90-day riding course. "I ended up staying two years as head show rider," Ritchey said. "I rode hunters, jumpers, three-day event and dressage, and they sponsored me for the USET (United States Equestrian Team)." Ritchey was short-listed for the U.S. Olympic team, but missed out when his mount was sold. "That's what led me to the racetrack," he said. "I was riding steeplechasers at the same time I was at Potomac." He packed up and went to the old Liberty Bell race track in Eastern Pennsylvania, where he worked as a groom, exercise rider and assistant trainer. Then, he returned to Maryland and rode steeplechasers while training a few of them.

About a year later in 1974, he bought three flat runners and, equipped with a $1,200 savings account, moved to Waterford Park, which is now Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort in Chester, WV. "When I left, I sold 22 or 23 horses to Dale Baird," Ritchey said. "I bought two from him and went to Penn National." He stayed there for 18 years and was the second-leading trainer. He moved to Delaware Park in 1993, and has been leading trainer there 5 times. Graded stakes winners include Cat Be Nimble, Fancy Freda, Smart Guy (winner of the Pa Derby). Also campaigned stakes winner Marciano. He won the Maryland Million Classic 3 consecutive years beginning in 2001, twice with Docent. "I stay in Delaware and run in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey," he said. "My main stable is between 45 and 50 head at Delaware Park."

Tim, now 53, has been married to his wife Janet for 30 years. They have two sons, Christopher and Benjamin. Home is a small farm in Elkton, Maryland. Tim enjoys golf and is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.