Linda Rice

A native of Wisconsin, Linda Rice is a third-generation Thoroughbred trainer who grew up assisting her father Clyde Rice. After working as an assistant trainer and exercise rider for many years, she took out her trainer license at the age of 23 and moved to the New York and New Jersey circuits.

In 2009 Rice won the training title at Saratoga, becoming the first woman to win the title at Saratoga or any major race course. She has also won or tied for the training title at three other NYRA meets and compiled over 1,200 career wins.

Rice trained 2015 Eclipse champion female sprinter La Verdad as well as multiple graded stakes winners Palace, City Zip, Things Change and Double Booked.

In 2023, Rice ranked 13th nationally by purse earnings ($10,448,123) and 12th in wins with 168. On the final day of the year, Rice landed victory number 165 on the NYRA circuit to eclipse the previous record of 164 seasonal wins at NYRA tracks by David Jacobson set in 2013.

“It’s a tough number to get to,” Rice told NYRA publicity. “It’s just been an incredible year. I’m really excited and I just hope we can do something that will compare going forward. That’s a high bar to set.”