Railbird 2004–2019

Jockeys Archive

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)

Posted in Jockeys on September 29, 2004

“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)

Posted in Jockeys on September 22, 2004

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)

Posted in Jockeys on September 17, 2004

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)

Posted in Jockeys on September 7, 2004

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)