Ruidoso Race Horse Hall of Famer member Mike "Mitch" Mitchell has lost his battle with cancer.

Courtesy La Gone Funeral Chapel

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–SEPTEMBER 17, 2024–It is with a heavy heart that we want to share the sad news that Mike "Mitch" Mitchell has lost his battle with cancer. Mitch never met a stranger, and he always made everyone feel like they had known him all of their lives.

Michael Thomas "Mitch" Mitchell was born in Pipestone, Minnesota, on February 8, 1953, to Merrill "Shorty" Mitchell and Hilda (Heitman) Mitchell.

In November 1959, the Mitchell family moved to Canning, South Dakota, where Mitch's life was centered around the horses, ranching, and the racetrack, becoming a highly respected horseman.

He loved everything about the track, especially the breaking of the colts. He began his career riding racehorses in South Dakota, starting out early spring meets in Fort Pierre while continuing going to high school (he graduated from Sully Buttes High School class of 1971).

At 16 years old, he rode the bush tracks of South Dakota and then all summer long at the state's only recognized track, Park Jefferson, Jefferson, South Dakota. Mike still holds the record for the most wins in a day at Jefferson.

Mitch rode professionally as a jockey for six years, and then, all of a sudden, he decided to shoot up in height and had to find a new job on the race track. First, he was a gallop boy, assistant trainer, and gateman.

By the mid-1980s, Mitch came to Ruidoso Downs and began working on the track's gate crew for the next fifteen years. Then, after suffering an injury, he switched jobs to become the track's outrider, a position he held for the next twenty years until his retirement in 2021.

As the head outrider, he took his responsibility for the safety of both the rider and the race horse very seriously.

He also enjoyed sitting in the saddle next to the rail in between races to let race fans get an up-close look at his mount. He was inducted as a Ruidoso Race Horse Hall of Fame member in 2023.

Mitch is survived by his loving family, daughter Tommye and Sandy. Sandy's family Lisa and Montana McMinn, Ruidoso, New Mexico. Mike's six siblings, Mary (Casey) Kebach, Pierre, SD; Katie Mitchell-Boe, Pierre, SD; Pat (Margo), Kennebec, SD; Donnie (Betsy), Eagle Butte, SD; Jim (Odie) and Vince, Pierre, SD. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and all of his race track family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Bob and sister-in-law, Ronette.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Mitch at Ruidoso Downs Race Track at the beginning of the 2025 meet. A definite date will be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, a scholarship has been established with the Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation in Mitch's honor. CLICK HERE to donate in Mitch's name or mail donations to The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation, 903 Mesa Roja Trail NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124-6388.