Grant E. “Gene” Riegle , 83, Hall of Fame driver/trainer passed away Monday, October 17, 2011 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Gene was born on June 3, 1928 in Greenville, Ohio, long a hotbed of harness racing activity. His father, Roy Riegle was an accomplished horseman and the younger Riegle got his start by taking on the most menial of chores around his father’s barn. While the budding horseman was still in his early teens, Gene’s father and mother (Delilah) were killed in an automobile accident.
Gene is survived by his wife Martha (Arnett) Riegle, his four children and spouses Alan & Linda Riegle of Greenville, Linda & Tracy Zumbrum of Greenville, Bruce & Diana Riegle of Washington, PA. & Tami & Richard Huff of Greenville. Grandchildren, Cary Riegle of Greenville, Nikki Riegle of Beavercreek, Ohio, Chris & Heather Bright of Dayton, Ohio, Laura & Sean Benson of Chandler, Arizonia, Chad & Ann Claire of Lexington, Kentucky, Taylor Riegle of Washington, PA., Travis Huff of Los Angeles, California, Trent & Lori Huff of Powell, Ohio.
Few horsemen have had careers as lengthy and as productive as Gene Riegle. The Ohio-born driver-trainer worked for decades at the top levels of the sport, producing many champion pacers and trotters. He was elected to harness racing’s Living Hall of Fame in 1991 and was inducted into the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1987.
Over the years, Gene trained such stars as the 1973 Kentucky Futurity winner Arnie Almahurst, the 1972 Adios winner Jay Time, the 1990 freshman pacing champion Artsplace, the 1991 & 1992 freshman and sophomore pacing champion Western Hanover, the 1981 & 1982 freshman and sophomore filly pacing champion Three Diamonds, and other stars such as Leah Almahurst, Troublemaker, and Life Sign.
In 1951, at age 17 Gene won the first start of his career with Victory Dale at the Darke County Fair in Greenville, in a race in which he beat Hall of Fame horseman Sanders Russell. His first “big” horse was Red Sails, in 1952, and he Burst fully onto the national scene when he drove the trotter Mr Saunders to second and third place finishes in the 1958 Hambletonian.
Among the numerous champions that Gene conditioned for Brittany Farms were two Hall of Fame racehorses that would later become legendary sires, Artsplace and Western Hanover. On the female side, World Champions Three Diamonds, Leah Almahurst and now American Jewel were directly or indirectly influenced by Gene. He also trained Western Ideal and Life Sign. Life Sign won what was perhaps the most exciting Little Brown Jug of all time, and gave this Ohio-born trainer one of his greatest thrills.
There will be a private burial at the convenience of the family. Gene’s family will receive friends on Sunday, October 23, 2011 from 2 – 5 P.M. and again on Monday, October 24, 2011 from 4 – 8 P.M. at the Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville. Memorial Contributions may be given to the American Heart Association or The Darke County Harness Horseman’s Association.
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