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The $122 Million Woman: 7 Shocking Facts About Linda Rice, Horse Racing’s Record-Breaking Trainer

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Linda Rice has cemented her legacy as one of the most dominant and successful figures in American Thoroughbred racing, a reputation underscored by her recent, record-breaking performance on the New York Racing Association (NYRA) circuit. As of the current date in December 2025, Rice is not just a leading trainer; she is a monumental force who has consistently outpaced her male counterparts, showcasing a masterful approach to conditioning horses and an unparalleled dedication to the sport.

The Wisconsin native and third-generation horsewoman has shattered long-standing records, accumulated an eye-watering sum in purse earnings, and become arguably the most decorated female trainer in the history of the sport. Her career is a tapestry woven with grit, strategic brilliance, and a long list of high-profile victories that continue to expand with each passing season.

Linda Rice: Comprehensive Biography and Career Milestones

Linda L. Rice is a distinguished American Thoroughbred horse racing trainer and bloodstock agent. Her career trajectory is marked by consistent success, particularly on the highly competitive New York circuit, where she has become a perennial leading figure.

  • Full Name: Linda L. Rice
  • Born: March 7, 1964
  • Hometown/Origin: Wisconsin, USA
  • Family Background: Third-generation Thoroughbred trainer; daughter of veteran trainer Clyde Rice, whom she grew up assisting.
  • Education: Attended Penn State University.
  • Career Debut: Began training professionally in 1987 at Pimlico Race Course.
  • Total Career Wins: Over 2,723 victories (as of the latest statistics).
  • Total Career Earnings: Over $122,847,064 (as of the latest statistics).
  • Major Achievement: Set the all-time New York Racing Association (NYRA) single-season training record with 165 wins in 2025.
  • Notable Titles: Multiple NYRA training titles, including five consecutive titles at Aqueduct Racetrack.
  • Distinction: Often cited as the most decorated female trainer in Thoroughbred racing history.

This deep dive explores the most astonishing facts about her career, from her record-breaking numbers to the high-profile horses that have defined her journey.

1. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) Record-Shattering 2025 Season

The most current and impressive highlight of Linda Rice's career is her record-breaking season on the New York Racing Association (NYRA) circuit. In 2025, Rice captured a monumental 165th training win, officially setting a new NYRA single-season training record. This achievement surpassed the long-standing record of 164 wins set by David Jacobson in 2013, solidifying her place in the history books of New York racing.

The record-breaking victory came when her horse, *Snide*, posted a 28-1 upset in the fourth race at Aqueduct Racetrack. This incredible feat is a testament to her consistency and dominance across all three NYRA tracks: Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course. Her ability to maintain a high win rate against top-tier competition, including rivals like Rudy Rodriguez, is what truly defines her status as an elite conditioner.

2. A Career Earnings Total Exceeding $122 Million

While the number of wins is a key metric, the financial success of Linda Rice’s operation is truly staggering. Her total career purse earnings have now soared past the $122 million mark, reaching an astonishing $122,847,064 from over 14,490 starts. This places her among the top trainers in North America by money earned, reflecting the quality and caliber of the horses she trains and the high-value races she targets.

The year 2023 was a career-best for Rice financially, as her horses earned over $10 million in a single season for the first time. She ranked 13th nationally by purse earnings that year, with $10,448,123, and secured 168 total wins, demonstrating a massive, sustained scale of success. Her massive earnings are a clear indicator of her strategic placement of horses in lucrative stakes races and her consistent performance at the highest level.

3. The Architect of Multiple Grade 1 Victories

Linda Rice is not merely a prolific winner of claiming and allowance races; she is a multiple Graded Stakes-winning trainer with 44 total graded stakes victories. Her barn has produced several Grade 1 winners, the pinnacle of Thoroughbred racing achievement. These top-level victories demonstrate her skill in developing world-class athletes.

Two of her most notable Grade 1 winners include:

  • Palace: A formidable sprinter who captured the 2014 Forego Stakes and the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap.
  • Princess Violet: The winner of the prestigious 2015 Madison Stakes at Keeneland.

These victories, achieved at major racing venues, showcase her ability to compete and win on the biggest stages of the sport, further cementing her reputation as a "monumental force" in the industry.

4. The Most Decorated Female Trainer in History

While various metrics can be used, Linda Rice is widely recognized as the most successful and decorated female trainer in the history of Thoroughbred racing. Her combination of over 2,700 career wins, $122+ million in earnings, multiple Grade 1 victories, and numerous NYRA training titles sets her apart from her female contemporaries.

Her success is particularly significant given the male-dominated nature of the high-level training profession. Rice has not only succeeded but has dominated, winning or tying for the training title at various NYRA meets, including five consecutive Aqueduct titles. She is a trailblazer who has proven that skill, strategy, and hard work transcend gender in the competitive world of horse racing.

5. The Acquisition of Top New York-Bred Talent

Rice’s barn is constantly evolving, and her recent acquisitions are a key indicator of her continued ambition. A fresh and exciting addition to her roster is the horse *Sacrosanct*, the New York-bred champion 2-year-old of 2024. The talented runner joined her stable with an eye toward major races, potentially including the prestigious Gotham Stakes.

This strategic acquisition highlights her ongoing focus on the lucrative New York-bred program, where she has historically excelled. She was the leading trainer by earnings in all New York-bred races in 2019, amassing over $4.2 million from state-bred runners alone. Securing horses like *Sacrosanct* ensures her continued dominance in the region for years to come.

6. A Third-Generation Horsewoman with Deep Roots

Linda Rice’s success is built on a foundation laid by her family. She is a third-generation Thoroughbred trainer, having grown up immersed in the business. Her father, Clyde Rice, was a respected veteran trainer, and Linda’s early years were spent assisting him. This deep, generational knowledge of horse conditioning, bloodlines, and stable management gives her a distinct advantage.

Her journey began formally in 1987, but her education in the sport started much earlier, in the barns and backstretches alongside her father. This invaluable, hands-on experience, combined with her academic background from Penn State, provided her with both the practical skills and the strategic mindset needed to manage a massive, high-performing racing operation.

7. The Consistent Top Ten Trainer in New York

For over a decade, Linda Rice has been one of the top ten trainers in the state of New York. This sustained excellence is perhaps the most telling statistic of her career. The New York circuit—which includes Saratoga, often called the "Graveyard of Champions"—is one of the most challenging and competitive racing environments globally.

Her ability to maintain a position among the elite in such a demanding environment speaks volumes about her training methodology, her eye for talent as a bloodstock agent, and the operational efficiency of her stable. Whether it's a maiden race at Aqueduct or a Grade 1 stakes at Saratoga, Linda Rice's horses are always prepared to compete, making her a permanent fixture at the top of the NYRA standings.

linda rice horse trainer
linda rice horse trainer

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