Nicky Ratledge keeps reaching for the stars

by Victoria Howard

People get into the sport of harness racing in various ways. Some are born into it, meaning someone in their family is already involved; perhaps as a trainer, driver, or owner who dedicates their life caring for the horse.

Or it could be a child, brother/sister, cousin, etc. who goes to the barn or racetrack with that person and gets bitten by the bug.

The bug I’m talking about is not a mosquito or a bee — it is the bug one gets when they see a horse — and fall in love. It’s love at first sight, or should I say bite.

That is exactly what happened to Nicky Ratledge.

“I was born in Dover, DE,” Ratledge said. “No one in my family was involved in the business and in my wildest dreams I never would have thought I would be doing what I’m doing today. I’m not complaining, I love what I do and wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“When I was young, I was giving riding lessons to a little girl whose father owned standardbreds with trainer Tim Crissman. At that time, I was attending college and teaching riding to help support my way through college.

“It was not only a happy time in my life but also a very dark time for me for my mother, who was my best friend, was going through breast cancer.

“Tim saw that I was a hard worker and loved working with horses, so he offered me a job as a groom and was only too happy to teach this novice the tricks. That was 20 years ago, and today I am all in.”

For the past eight years, Ratledge has trained her own stable and just started getting her qualifying drives.

“Presently, I train six horses for my owner Rodney Long who has been amazing,” she said. “I owe him everything for trusting in me and giving me a chance of a lifetime.

“My horses are stabled in Smyrna, DE, at Merri Meadows Training Center, owned by Kinda MacDonald and I mainly race at Dover Downs and Harrington but have ventured out to Maryland at Rosecroft and Chester [in Pennsylvania].

“I may not be one of the better-known trainers in the business, but I am definitely one of the most dedicated and enthusiastic.”

Having worked with standardbreds for several decades now, Ratledge has had plenty of exciting and rewarding times, but she said a couple stand out above the rest.

“That was when my first ‘baby’ made it to the races,” she said. “Her name was Truthaboutnickster, and she won her very first race. Believe me, there was a lot of nail biting, sleepless nights, and hair pulling with this filly.

“Unfortunately, she had many setbacks, and it wasn’t easy, but in my heart, I knew she was extra special. A lot of people told me to give up on her and don’t waste my time and money, but I couldn’t stop trying. Perhaps that’s the bull headed me, but I’m so glad I didn’t give up. I just knew she would eventually make it all worth it.

“Another great moment in racing was when I raced the first time at the Delaware’s State Fair my own horse, Aiden Station, in the President Cup, which had the highest purse money.”

Unfortunately, with the highs come the lows and Ratledge has experienced those as well.

“Ouch, this one hurts,” she said. “It was definitely the time when my baby Truthaboutnickster was making her debut in her very first race. It was a 3-year-old stakes race.

“As I nervously watched my girl behind the gate, she knuckled over behind and broke her back pastern. I was beyond devastated, but I have since learned that anything can and does happen in a race or with one of our standardbreds. That’s part of the game, I guess, but I hate it.”

This column is for all the women in the sport of harness racing. Today, there are several ladies who are quickly rising up the ladder and taking a shot at the big boys, either by training or driving.

Some are well known and others not so much, but each and every one deserves the respect and honor for all the hard work they do.

“There are many hard-working dedicated women in the sport, and I think every one of them deserves recognition,” Ratledge said. “I admire them all but especially Linda MacDonald.

“Linda has given me so much advice in all aspects of the business; whether it’s in grooming, driving or training. She is the go-to woman in Delaware.”

Ratledge said she’s excited for what the future may hold.

“I dream big and reach for the stars,” she said. “I plan on getting my driver’s license and eventually driving in a few races. I’m not trying to be a driver, I just want to be able to say, ‘I did it!’

“Also, one time, I’d love to own a stakes baby and race in a stakes race. It is my dream. In harness racing there are many opportunities. You just have to keep reaching for the stars and hope to catch one.”