Martha Riegle 2003 Lady Pace Honoree

By Tom White
8/04/03

Martha Riegle, whose first experience in harness racing was during a date with future husband and Hall of Famer Gene Riegle, will be the third Lady Pace honoree of the Delaware, Ohio County Fair. The $18,750 Lady Pace, sponsored by Ed Mullinax of Amherst, Ohio, will be raced Saturday afternoon, September 13th, opening day of Delaware's 58th Grand Circuit.

"I did not know about harness racing even though I was born and raised in Greenville, (Ohio). On our first date, Gene took me to the barn to check on his horses," said Martha. Not long afterwards, Martha and Gene were married, and she quickly learned all about the sport.

Martha and Gene's two sons, Bruce and Alan, both became top trainers. Gene, Bruce and Alan have combined to drive and train the winners of more than 4,000 races and over $30,000,000 in earnings. Among their more famous Standardbreds have been Little Brown jug winner Life Sign, Jugette champions Three Diamonds and Leah Almahurst, Western Hanover, Artsplace, Op'Art, Cami Almahurst, Leah Almahurst, Jay Time, Arnie Almahurst and current star Worldly Woman.

"We've had so many great horses it is impossible to choose between them. But, when Life Sign won the Jug in 1993, that was really exciting. Nobody, including Gene and I, thought Life Sign could live on the outside the entire race and win. That was great for Gene, because he was the trainer."

Martha has owned many horses including Kentucky Futurity winner Arnie Almahurst, Cami Almahurst, Match Hill and Op'Art. "But, my favorite is Don Parker. He was the first horse that I owned, he got me started. We bought him for only $4,000 from Poplar Hill Farm in Lexington because nobody wanted him. He went on to win 19 of 22 races including a stakes race at the Red Mile and the Illinois Colt Championship."

The Riegles continue to live in Greenville. "There is no place like this. We've got beautiful churches and a wonderful park. Our two daughters, Linda and Tami, both live and work in Greenville." Martha also has seven grandchildren and one step grandson.