Richard O'Connell (December 14, 1949 – February 28, 2004) was an American Thoroughbred horse racing trainer who was voted Trainer of the Year three times by New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB).[1]
| Richard O'Connell | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Trainer |
| Born | December 14, 1949 Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Died | February 28, 2004 (aged 54) |
| Major racing wins | |
| Cliff Hanger Handicap (1988) Selima Stakes (1988) Poker Stakes (1988) Athenia Handicap (1989) Canterbury Oaks (1989) Nijana Handicap (1989) Aqueduct Handicap (1990) Matchmaker Stakes (1990) New York Handicap (1990) Jim Dandy Stakes (1992) Travers Stakes (1992) Saratoga Cup (1994) Jaipur Handicap (1996) | |
| Racing awards | |
| NYTB Trainer of the Year (1988, 1989, 1990) | |
| Significant horses | |
| Capades, Thunder Rumble | |
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Richard O'Connell most notably trained the filly Capades plus the colt Thunder Rumble who in 1992 became the first New York-bred horse in one hundred and twenty-five years to win the prestigious Travers Stakes and for whom the New York Stallion Series Thunder Rumble Stakes is named.[2]
Following a lengthy illness, Richard O'Connell died at age 54 on February 28, 2004.[3]