JC / Railbird

Jockeys Archive

2,000 Ascot Wins for Dettori

Italian jockey and Godolphin star rider Frankie Dettori scored his 2,000th win in Britain at Ascot, the same course at which he rode seven wins on seven mounts in September 1996, on Sunday. “When the redevelopment of Ascot Racecourse is finished, they might as well go ahead and rename it Dettori Downs.” (International Herald Tribune)

Posted in Jockeys on July 25, 2004

CA Jockey Weight May Increase

“The California Horse Racing Board could vote as soon as August on a proposal to raise the minimum for veteran riders in thoroughbred races to 118 pounds, and end the practice of including the saddle when a jockey is weighed. Those changes could allow a jockey to be four to eight pounds heavier, though there is disagreement about a precise figure.” Jockeys and physicians support the measure, trainers and owners express concern about the effect of added weight on horses. (LA Times)
Related: “Proposal to raise weights debated” (Daily Racing Form)

Posted in Jockeys on July 23, 2004

Jockey Investigated for Non-Triers

British jockey Gary Carter faces allegations that he rode “eight non-triers” last year (Racing Post).

Posted in International, Jockeys on July 15, 2004

Winkfield Joins Hall of Fame

He won the Kentucky Derby two years straight, was a champion rider in Russia until the revolution forced him to flee, and had won more than 2500 races when he retired at the age of 50. Now Jimmy Winkfield, “one of the most celebrated and accomplished African American jockeys of all time,” is being inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame (Thoroughbred Times).

Related: “Wink: The Incredible Life and Epic Journey of Jimmy Winkfield,” by Ed Hotaling, due out Nov. 2004 (International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press)

Also: “Two historic figures to join” (Daily Racing Form)

Posted in Jockeys on July 15, 2004