Coming Back
“The problem was that, after the plane crash, I kept telling myself there’s more to life than being a jockey. I wanted to be this family man who did some nice safe work on the telly…. Maybe it took more out of me than I expected. I was moping around at home too much.” Good thing Frankie Dettori’s wife sat him down for a talk. Now the jockey is closing in on the championship title with 162 wins this season. (Guardian)
Take a Break or Burn Out
“The British Horseracing Board said yesterday that it is considering “a whole range of options” — including the introduction of compulsory days off for jockeys — as it attempts to reduce the spiralling workload that faces many of the country’s riders.” (The Guardian)
Ah, That Explains It
When it was reported that jockey Jerry Bailey broke his wrist in a fall while prepping his Florida home for Hurricane Frances, a lot of fans had one question: “Why wouldn’t a guy whose mounts have earned more than $100 million over the past five years simply hire a local handyman to install storm shutters?” Because: “People don’t know it, but this is the kind of stuff I do around the house all the time,” Bailey tells Jay Hovdey. (Daily Racing Form)
Untouchable
“[Jockey Willie] Shoemaker’s 1954 mastery of Del Mar is one of racing’s more indestructible records, right up there with trainer Woody Stephens’ five consecutive Belmont wins, trainer Wayne Lukas’ six consecutive victories in Triple Crown races and jockey Kent Desormeaux’s 598 wins in 1989.” (LA Times)
Bye-Bye France
And hello, US! Jockey Gary Stevens is back: “Again — after writing another chapter in his ever-fascinating career. And while there is no indication that he has signed a deal with Frommer’s to endorse the upcoming line of travel guides, he is now fully qualified to conduct comprehensive tours of the racing scene in Hong Kong, France, and England, not to mention every corner of the North American universe.” (Daily Racing Form)
Fallon: A Knack for Trouble
Jockey Kieren Fallon may be an inspired rider, but he’s also reticent, willful, possessed of a temper, and has been treated for alcohol problems. Ok then, “So the man needs an image counsellor, but is he a criminal?” (The Guardian)
Velazquez Breaks Own Record; Bailey’s Grip on Eclipse Shaky
“John Velazquez rode three winners Friday, including two for leading trainer Todd Pletcher, to break the single-season jockey victory total at Saratoga Race Course that he set last year.” (Blood-Horse)
“Even before jockey Jerry Bailey took a tumble off a ladder at his Florida home on Wednesday, his grip on an eighth Eclipse Award would have been harder to hang on to than an umbrella during Hurricane Frances. It’s not that Bailey is having a bad year. He is simply having a season that doesn’t rank with his record-setting 2003, and a couple of other riders are poised to take advantage.” (New York Daily News)
Stevens Leaving France
Jockey Gary Stevens will return to California on September 2, and plans to ride the last few days of the Del Mar meet and “to pursue several entertainment projects,” including a talk show and a possible movie role. (Thoroughbred Times)
Valenzuela Suspended for 2004
And possibly for life: “Del Mar stewards Ingrid Fermin, George Slender and Tom Ward suspended jockey Patrick Valenzuela for the rest of 2004 on Friday and recommended that the California Horse Racing Board not consider Valenzuela, 41, for future licensing.” (LA Times)
Bailey Now Saratoga’s Winningest Rider
With his second win of the day, jockey Jerry Bailey won his 641st race at Saratoga this afternoon, surpassing the previous record of 640 wins held by retired Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero. (ESPN)
Related: “Bailey breaks record for career victories at Saratoga” (New York Times)
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Jessica Chapel writes and edits in Massachusetts. Railbird is a Thoroughbred horse racing blog published from June 2004 to July 2019. More / Contact
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