The harness racing industry was saddened by the news that trainer Ricky Ryan passed away at the weekend at the age of 59 following a long illness.
The Ballarat-based Ryan became interested in the sport when living in Ouyen and learnt the craft from Bendigo trainer Trevor Monk before having stints working for the late Vin Knight and recent Hall of Fame inductee Noel Alexander.
Ryan combined his occupation as a truck driver with working a small team of horses before retiring and concentrating on his training duties in recent years.
Ryan enjoyed success with Crompton Bay, Indigo Dancer, along with Fightnfury and, more recently, with Metro Swish and Onawingandaprayer.
The last horse Ryan harnessed up was a winner when his three-year-old trotter, The Paso Doble, saluted at Ballarat a fortnight ago.
While Ryan didn’t snare metropolitan success, Yankee Redback went close when she finished runner-up in the Group 1 Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic (2YO Trotting Fillies) Final in 2016.
Ryan is survived by his fiancée, Angela, and son, Damien.
Harness Racing Victoria Chairman Bernard Saundry, on behalf of the entire industry, sends his sincere condolences to Ryan’s family and friends.
