Vale Keith Grice
The word ‘stalwart’ is probably overused (probably by me) when talking about people in harness racing who have passed on, as sadly so many have recently, but you would have to say that Keith Grice (who sadly left us this week), and his brother Bevan have earned the title.
Sat a time when breeding numbers are struggling to tick much above 2000 horses bred per year these days, to think that these gentlemen have been responsible for around 600 is quite staggering. I’ve had a couple personally with mixed results and, to be honest, their lease terms were not cheap. However, when you got one of their horses, you knew that they were both well bred and well reared. I’ve heard stories about what they do with their young horses, definitely no frills, but what it does, is instill a toughness that stays with them throughout their racing careers, and results in the spectacular results they have achieved.
By their policy of leasing the horses out, they have given inestimable pleasure to hundreds of owners, and helped enhance the careers of many trainers and drivers.
It would be nice the think that their legacy will be continued, because it’s unlikely that we will see their like again.
Pete Cook