Services for Donald Ray “Donnie” Richardson, former senior vice president of racing for Churchill Downs Incorporated until his retirement in 2012, will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1000 N. Beckley Station Road, Louisville, Ky., with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery.
In addition to Friday's services, a visitation will be held tonight (Thursday) from 4-8 p.m. at Ratterman Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Road, East Louisville. Masks and social distancing are required.
Richardson passed away Tuesday at age 75. Born Jan. 27, 1946 to the late Elmer and Gertrude Richardson, the Louisville native spent a lifetime around racing. His father ran the program department at Churchill Downs, Louisville's defunct Miles Park and the old Latonia (now Turfway Park) for more than 30 years.
At 14, Richardson took his first job in racing when he started selling programs at Churchill Downs. He joined the track's racing office and worked as a patrol judge in 1969. After holding positions in racing at tracks throughout the Kentucky circuit, as well as racing positions at Florida's Hialeah and Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, Richardson returned to Churchill Downs as assistant racing secretary from 1973-78 and served as racing secretary for the extended Spring Meet at Churchill Downs in 1978. Richardson then became racing secretary for Ellis Park from 1978-79.
In 1979, Richardson moved out of the racing office and into a new career as a jockey's agent, in which he guided the careers of such notable riders as Hall of Fame members Chris McCarron and Don Brumfield and veterans such as Jim McKnight, Keith Allen, Darrell Haire, Mike McDowell, Earlie Fires and others.
He again joined Churchill Downs in 1990 as the track's stakes coordinator. Later, as senior vice president of racing, Richardson oversaw Churchill Downs' racing program and was responsible for policy development, strategy and horsemen's services for Churchill Downs Incorporated and its racing markets in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky and Louisiana.
“Donnie Richardson devoted his life to horse racing,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson. “He was a valuable Churchill Downs employee for 22 years and helped champion the growth of our stakes program, including the Kentucky Derby Week schedule of races we know today. Our hearts and prayers are with Donnie's numerous family and friends around the racetrack as they grieve during this difficult time.”
Richardson, who married the love of his life, the late Theresa Longazel Richardson, is survived by his two daughters, Jennifer Richardson (Scott Rech); and Shelley Dunn (Jason); and two grandsons, Jonathan and Jack Dunn.
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