Chris Richard

Born: 05/17/1971

Resides: Schaumburg, Illinois

Although trainer Chris Richard had a few notable wins in 2011, such as Oaklawn’s King Cotton Stakes with Native Ruler, he didn’t have the kind of meet he was looking for. Nevertheless, 2012 is looking up. Through early February, he sits among the top trainers in the standings with a barn led by several possible Arkansas Derby contenders, including impressive winner Pee H Dee.

Richard, a native of Ragley, La. who pronounces his name Ree-shard, grew up helping his trainer grandfather, Francis Gillory, who maintained a farm and ran horses at Delta Downs. After graduating high school, he attended nearby McNeese State before transferring to Texas A & M where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Equine Science in 1995 and a Master of Science degree in in Equine Nutrition and Exercise Physiology in 1998.

While at Texas A & M, Richard also began gaining valuable experience outside the classroom, first working at the Carter Wallace Farm, a large Thoroughbred operation outside Dallas and then just after college, he went to work as a private trainer for Houston-based owner James (Mattress Mac) McIngvale. In 2001, Richard went to work for trainer Tom Amoss and spent roughly four years with his fellow Louisiana native before starting his own stable in 2005.