Derby-winning trainer Danny Riordan has passed away
News broke earlier today that Danny Riordan, trainer or Derby winner Rio Quattro has died at the age of 84.
Picture - Steve Nash
Rio Quattro landed Riordan his Derby triumph
Danny Riordan, the hugely respected and much-loved English Derby-winning trainer, died today. He was 84.
Essex-based Irishman Riordan trained 2015 Derby champion Rio Quattro to victory at Wimbledon, the powerful-running June 12 son of Ace Hi Rumble and Droopys Geneva having the distinction of winning the richest ever Derby given the William Hill-backed Classic was worth £250,000 to the champion.
Victory sparked glorious scenes for Riordan, who part-owned the Dunphys-bred star along with the Harkness family, the late Bill and Margaret Harkness, and their son Richard.
"Danny hadn't been well and had been in hospital for a time but was back home," said former RPGTV man and odds-compiler Harkness, "but I think he thought he'd turned a corner and we'd arranged to speak in a couple of weeks' time.
"Sadly that wasn't meant to be and today is a really, really sad day, and my thoughts go to Danny's wife Eileen and the rest of the family."
Of that heady night at Wimbledon in 2015, Harkness added: "That was an amazing night - and one which I'll never forget. Quattro just got stronger as the event progressed and had a real following come final night and the cheers when he hit the front will always live with me.
"It was spine-tingling. He got himself in a great position down the back and the rest is history - and it was history given the prize-money involved, of course.
"We were a close-knit team - Danny, mum and dad, and Barbara (Sealey) - and they were very special times."
Riordan might have enjoyed his greatest success on the track with Rio Quattro but he handled a host of other star performers.
Among his other major winners were Gold Collar hero Rio Scorpio, dual Derby semi-finalist Rio Riccardo, who also won the Monmore Puppy Derby, another Derby semi-finalist and Derby consolation winner Droopys Corleone, and Golden Jacket winner White Soks Roks. Rio Shadow also broke the 55m track record at Catford.
Funeral details will be announced later.
