Jockey & Trainer News 2023

[Squeaky]

Owner/ trainer Tim Martin, who killed Tyler's Tribe by failing to retire him after multiple bouts of severe bleeding, has had all of his Oaklawn entries scratched pending an investigation: https://twitter.com/OaklawnRacing/statu ... 6437563834

The tweet mentions a second horse, Collins, whom Equibase has racing under a different trainer. Unclear of the relation between them, but hopefully this move saves some equine lives.

So sad- how did he die?

[Tessablue]

So sad- how did he die?

Officially there aren't any known details (per Bloodhorse, which seems to be just as in the dark as the rest of us), but the rumor mill says it was a sudden death while galloping

I hope it just makes HISA change the year rule and have the new rule just be incidents per lifetime. This horse should have been retired. He clearly wasn't going to stop bleeding, he was bleeding through lasix constantly. If being banned from working/racing for 6 months didn't help him, then the 30 days since the last incident weren't going to help either. They had to wait an extra couple weeks though cause he had a bleeding incident from 4/29/23 that they needed to get past. Then he'd be back down to 1 incident so he'd only get 30 days again when he bled next. Unfortunately he just died instead.

Someone said his breeder had been trying to get him back to retire him but the greedy ass owners/trainer refused.

Oh yikes, that rule is super outdated. Does it even mention the difference between grades of bleeding? This horse was constantly experiencing epistaxis, which means he was constantly at greater risk of it, and that risk includes sudden death. Many equine deaths are much more difficult to prevent that this one; I hope we get movement from it soon.

Reminds me of what they say in the aviation industry... the regulations are written in blood.

[Flanders]

So sad- how did he die?

Officially there aren't any known details (per Bloodhorse, which seems to be just as in the dark as the rest of us), but the rumor mill says it was a sudden death while galloping

I hope it just makes HISA change the year rule and have the new rule just be incidents per lifetime. This horse should have been retired. He clearly wasn't going to stop bleeding, he was bleeding through lasix constantly. If being banned from working/racing for 6 months didn't help him, then the 30 days since the last incident weren't going to help either. They had to wait an extra couple weeks though cause he had a bleeding incident from 4/29/23 that they needed to get past. Then he'd be back down to 1 incident so he'd only get 30 days again when he bled next. Unfortunately he just died instead.

Someone said his breeder had been trying to get him back to retire him but the greedy ass owners/trainer refused.

Oh yikes, that rule is super outdated. Does it even mention the difference between grades of bleeding? This horse was constantly experiencing epistaxis, which means he was constantly at greater risk of it, and that risk includes sudden death. Many equine deaths are much more difficult to prevent that this one; I hope we get movement from it soon.

Reminds me of what they say in the aviation industry... the regulations are written in blood.

No its just incidents in 365 days:
1 - 14 days
2 - 30 days
3 - 180 days
4 - lifetime ban

by the time he came back to the races earlier this year the first 2 were gone as far as the rule was concerned. His were 11/4/22(14 day), 12/9/22(30 day), 4/29/23(180 day), 3/10/24(30 day). Then because they waited the extra ~2 weeks to train again, he was back at 1 incident. Its virtually impossible for a horse to get ruled off with this rule.

[CoronadosQuest]

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/s ... 590413007/

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione could face disciplinary action as a result of his ride aboard runner-up Sierra Leone in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

According to a statement issued Monday by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, Gaffalione has been ordered by stewards to attend “film review” of the race on Thursday.

“Stewards conduct film reviews routinely to review the conduct of jockeys during a race,” the KHRC statement said. “The stewards, in their discretion, can take disciplinary action against a jockey following the review.”

[Squeaky]

So sad- how did he die?

Officially there aren't any known details (per Bloodhorse, which seems to be just as in the dark as the rest of us), but the rumor mill says it was a sudden death while galloping

I hope it just makes HISA change the year rule and have the new rule just be incidents per lifetime. This horse should have been retired. He clearly wasn't going to stop bleeding, he was bleeding through lasix constantly. If being banned from working/racing for 6 months didn't help him, then the 30 days since the last incident weren't going to help either. They had to wait an extra couple weeks though cause he had a bleeding incident from 4/29/23 that they needed to get past. Then he'd be back down to 1 incident so he'd only get 30 days again when he bled next. Unfortunately he just died instead.

Someone said his breeder had been trying to get him back to retire him but the greedy ass owners/trainer refused.

Oh yikes, that rule is super outdated. Does it even mention the difference between grades of bleeding? This horse was constantly experiencing epistaxis, which means he was constantly at greater risk of it, and that risk includes sudden death. Many equine deaths are much more difficult to prevent that this one; I hope we get movement from it soon.

Reminds me of what they say in the aviation industry... the regulations are written in blood.

No its just incidents in 365 days:
1 - 14 days
2 - 30 days
3 - 180 days
4 - lifetime ban

by the time he came back to the races earlier this year the first 2 were gone as far as the rule was concerned. His were 11/4/22(14 day), 12/9/22(30 day), 4/29/23(180 day), 3/10/24(30 day). Then because they waited the extra ~2 weeks to train again, he was back at 1 incident. Its virtually impossible for a horse to get ruled off with this rule.

Said he died of a collapsed trachea that cut off his breathing/ oxygen. This seems to be rare in horses. It is pretty common in small breed dogs. Some saying it could have been diagnosed with a dynamic scope on a treadmill while moving. Likely also caused the continued episodes of bleeding.

[HB1994]

Jon Court has retired. His last ride was yesterday. His stats:

35,358 : 4,263 - 4,051 - 4,050
$114,032,260

https://x.com/roguewolf007/status/1787587113036218601
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... ear-career

[Squeaky]

Jon Court has retired. His last ride was yesterday. His stats:

35,358 : 4,263 - 4,051 - 4,050
$114,032,260

https://x.com/roguewolf007/status/1787587113036218601
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... ear-career

I am curious about retired jockeys and their relationship with food. It seems some like Richie M and Jerry B still really watch what they eat and stay very slim, while others like Gary S have a more obvious weight gain. I know Jon C said he lives a very healthy lifestyle so likely will be more like the former. It must be weird for them to actually be able to eat a normal sized meal and not constantly worry about weight. I think being a jockey does really foster disordered eating. I know Richie was bragging that he was down to 137 lbs ( from 145-150) while at SAR last year-not sure why. Keith Asmussen at 5’10” looked painfully thin on the recent broadcast. He must eat very little to stay at 110-115 lbs at that height when he should normally weigh 150-160 at the least. I just don’t see how it is sustainable. Takes tremendous self-discipline.

[TapitsGal]

Jon Court has retired. His last ride was yesterday. His stats:

35,358 : 4,263 - 4,051 - 4,050
$114,032,260

https://x.com/roguewolf007/status/1787587113036218601
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... ear-career

I am curious about retired jockeys and their relationship with food. It seems some like Richie M and Jerry B still really watch what they eat and stay very slim, while others like Gary S have a more obvious weight gain. I know Jon C said he lives a very healthy lifestyle so likely will be more like the former. It must be weird for them to actually be able to eat a normal sized meal and not constantly worry about weight. I think being a jockey does really foster disordered eating. I know Richie was bragging that he was down to 137 lbs ( from 145-150) while at SAR last year-not sure why. Keith Asmussen at 5’10” looked painfully thin on the recent broadcast. He must eat very little to stay at 110-115 lbs at that height when he should normally weigh 150-160 at the least. I just don’t see how it is sustainable. Takes tremendous self-discipline.

I would imagine that Keith may not have a long career. 5'10'' is extremely tall for a jockey. At some point the height might force him into a different racing related career similar to Joseph o'brien

[Northport]

Jon Court has retired. His last ride was yesterday. His stats:

35,358 : 4,263 - 4,051 - 4,050
$114,032,260

https://x.com/roguewolf007/status/1787587113036218601
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... ear-career

I am curious about retired jockeys and their relationship with food. It seems some like Richie M and Jerry B still really watch what they eat and stay very slim, while others like Gary S have a more obvious weight gain. I know Jon C said he lives a very healthy lifestyle so likely will be more like the former. It must be weird for them to actually be able to eat a normal sized meal and not constantly worry about weight. I think being a jockey does really foster disordered eating. I know Richie was bragging that he was down to 137 lbs ( from 145-150) while at SAR last year-not sure why. Keith Asmussen at 5’10” looked painfully thin on the recent broadcast. He must eat very little to stay at 110-115 lbs at that height when he should normally weigh 150-160 at the least. I just don’t see how it is sustainable. Takes tremendous self-discipline.

Well, it isnt really sustainable.

His dad only rode for a few years before becoming too heavy, so imagine Keith will be on a similar timeline. Like Tapitsgal said, very similar to Joseph O’Brien. Luckily they are/were both very well connected to get lots of nice rides during their short careers - O’Brien more so. O’Brien also had the added benefit of higher minimum weights in Europe.

[Curtis]

Jon Court has retired. His last ride was yesterday. His stats:

35,358 : 4,263 - 4,051 - 4,050
$114,032,260

https://x.com/roguewolf007/status/1787587113036218601
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... ear-career

I am curious about retired jockeys and their relationship with food. It seems some like Richie M and Jerry B still really watch what they eat and stay very slim, while others like Gary S have a more obvious weight gain. I know Jon C said he lives a very healthy lifestyle so likely will be more like the former. It must be weird for them to actually be able to eat a normal sized meal and not constantly worry about weight. I think being a jockey does really foster disordered eating. I know Richie was bragging that he was down to 137 lbs ( from 145-150) while at SAR last year-not sure why. Keith Asmussen at 5’10” looked painfully thin on the recent broadcast. He must eat very little to stay at 110-115 lbs at that height when he should normally weigh 150-160 at the least. I just don’t see how it is sustainable. Takes tremendous self-discipline.

Well, it isnt really sustainable.

His dad only rode for a few years before becoming too heavy, so imagine Keith will be on a similar timeline. Like Tapitsgal said, very similar to Joseph O’Brien. Luckily they are/were both very well connected to get lots of nice rides during their short careers - O’Brien more so. O’Brien also had the added benefit of higher minimum weights in Europe.

Laffit Pincay Jr. natural weight is probably near 140. I don’t know what he’d tack now but every time I see him he looks good. Once he figured it out—and he admitted to going through hell on the way—he tacked 117 and that was only tolerated because he was so talented. He was born too early.

[stark]

Laffit Pincay Jr. natural weight is probably near 140. I don’t know what he’d tack now but every time I see him he looks good. Once he figured it out—and he admitted to going through hell on the way—he tacked 117 and that was only tolerated because he was so talented. He was born too early.

Today's crowd would never swallow the peanut on the airplane story but it was all true. Never read much about him in the purging stalls in the jocks room but that's how life was/is for many of them. Seems like only Shoemaker at a natural 100 or so knew how to live reasonably.

[Missbeholder]

Laffit Pincay Jr. natural weight is probably near 140. I don’t know what he’d tack now but every time I see him he looks good. Once he figured it out—and he admitted to going through hell on the way—he tacked 117 and that was only tolerated because he was so talented. He was born too early.

Today's crowd would never swallow the peanut on the airplane story but it was all true. Never read much about him in the purging stalls in the jocks room but that's how life was/is for many of them. Seems like only Shoemaker at a natural 100 or so knew how to live reasonably.

I don't know if this is true, but I've read before that Pat Day was a natural lightweight as well, and didn't have major difficulty managing his weight in the saddle.

[Curtis]

Laffit Pincay Jr. natural weight is probably near 140. I don’t know what he’d tack now but every time I see him he looks good. Once he figured it out—and he admitted to going through hell on the way—he tacked 117 and that was only tolerated because he was so talented. He was born too early.

Today's crowd would never swallow the peanut on the airplane story but it was all true. Never read much about him in the purging stalls in the jocks room but that's how life was/is for many of them. Seems like only Shoemaker at a natural 100 or so knew how to live reasonably.

I don't know if this is true, but I've read before that Pat Day was a natural lightweight as well, and didn't have major difficulty managing his weight in the saddle.

Sandy Hawley tacked 111 if memory serves. I think he could have tacked less but he didn’t really have to work to do that and it didn’t cost him any mounts. Rudy Campas was probably 4’8” and as wide as he was tall but when you’re that little you can still make weight. Steve Valdez was probably the best apprentice jock, I ever saw. He grew up poor, eating beans. Once the winners came as a bug boy, beans became steak and the most promising bug boy I ever saw became a member of the gate crew.

[stark]

Today's crowd would never swallow the peanut on the airplane story but it was all true. Never read much about him in the purging stalls in the jocks room but that's how life was/is for many of them. Seems like only Shoemaker at a natural 100 or so knew how to live reasonably.

I don't know if this is true, but I've read before that Pat Day was a natural lightweight as well, and didn't have major difficulty managing his weight in the saddle.

Sandy Hawley tacked 111 if memory serves. I think he could have tacked less but he didn’t really have to work to do that and it didn’t cost him any mounts. Rudy Campas was probably 4’8” and as wide as he was tall but when you’re that little you can still make weight. Steve Valdez was probably the best apprentice jock, I ever saw. He grew up poor, eating beans. Once the winners came as a bug boy, beans became steak and the most promising bug boy I ever saw became a member of the gate crew.

Back in the day when Bobby Frankel, Charlie Whittingham and others would generate great arguments about weight, I recall one of 'em making the case that they'd rather have Pincay at 117 or even +2 than a 100 pound jock with 17 pounds of dead weight in his saddle bags. It made sense to me, but not sure it was ever important.

[Northport]

“Michael Byrne, the former jockey who left a lasting impression on the racing communities in Wales and Ireland, died on Saturday at the age of 36”

https://www.racingpost.com/news/britain ... T04j8qPOM/

His close friend and former jockey Aidan Coleman spoke to Nick Luck yesterday about Byrne. From what it sounds like, Byrne took his own life - something that seems to be happening all too often.

[Squeaky]

“Michael Byrne, the former jockey who left a lasting impression on the racing communities in Wales and Ireland, died on Saturday at the age of 36”

https://www.racingpost.com/news/britain ... T04j8qPOM/

His close friend and former jockey Aidan Coleman spoke to Nick Luck yesterday about Byrne. From what it sounds like, Byrne took his own life - something that seems to be happening all too often.

Sorry to hear this and RIP. Chronic starvation is not good for those feel good hormones like dopamine and serotonin. Wonder if there are lasting effects on the body and brain even after riding career ends?

[Curtis]

I don't know if this is true, but I've read before that Pat Day was a natural lightweight as well, and didn't have major difficulty managing his weight in the saddle.

Sandy Hawley tacked 111 if memory serves. I think he could have tacked less but he didn’t really have to work to do that and it didn’t cost him any mounts. Rudy Campas was probably 4’8” and as wide as he was tall but when you’re that little you can still make weight. Steve Valdez was probably the best apprentice jock, I ever saw. He grew up poor, eating beans. Once the winners came as a bug boy, beans became steak and the most promising bug boy I ever saw became a member of the gate crew.

Back in the day when Bobby Frankel, Charlie Whittingham and others would generate great arguments about weight, I recall one of 'em making the case that they'd rather have Pincay at 117 or even +2 than a 100 pound jock with 17 pounds of dead weight in his saddle bags. It made sense to me, but not sure it was ever important.

I remember when Shoe would get days and Whittingham needed a jock to ride one of his top horses in a stake, he would resurrect Howard Grant who was a terrific rider but tacked around 123. Charlie’s horses would always have 125 or more so Grant’s weight didn’t matter. If it were a prep, like the San Antonio, Bel Air, etc., Grant was perfect because he’d look good stiffing the horse to just win or run 2nd and he was happy to get a good horse to ride. I remember inn1974, Whittingham needed to find a jock to ride Quack in an allowance prep for the Big ‘Cap. Pierce had been given days and because it was an allowance race Quack was getting a weight break. So Charlie puts Valdez on Quack with detailed instructions as to how to stiff him—let him lag, keep him inside, only hit him once at the 3/16, etc. Valdez rode Quack perfect and they got up for 3rd about 1.5 lengths back. Steve told me that if he swung him out and hit him twice, they win by 4. Valdez looked a little disappointed after the race and Charlie said he rode him perfect. “You win that race for fun and we get 134 for the Big ‘Cap!” Quack got 126 and ran 5th in the mud. Charlie couldn’t control the weather.

[stark]

Sandy Hawley tacked 111 if memory serves. I think he could have tacked less but he didn’t really have to work to do that and it didn’t cost him any mounts. Rudy Campas was probably 4’8” and as wide as he was tall but when you’re that little you can still make weight. Steve Valdez was probably the best apprentice jock, I ever saw. He grew up poor, eating beans. Once the winners came as a bug boy, beans became steak and the most promising bug boy I ever saw became a member of the gate crew.

Back in the day when Bobby Frankel, Charlie Whittingham and others would generate great arguments about weight, I recall one of 'em making the case that they'd rather have Pincay at 117 or even +2 than a 100 pound jock with 17 pounds of dead weight in his saddle bags. It made sense to me, but not sure it was ever important.

I remember when Shoe would get days and Whittingham needed a jock to ride one of his top horses in a stake, he would resurrect Howard Grant who was a terrific rider but tacked around 123. Charlie’s horses would always have 125 or more so Grant’s weight didn’t matter. If it were a prep, like the San Antonio, Bel Air, etc., Grant was perfect because he’d look good stiffing the horse to just win or run 2nd and he was happy to get a good horse to ride. I remember inn1974, Whittingham needed to find a jock to ride Quack in an allowance prep for the Big ‘Cap. Pierce had been given days and because it was an allowance race Quack was getting a weight break. So Charlie puts Valdez on Quack with detailed instructions as to how to stiff him—let him lag, keep him inside, only hit him once at the 3/16, etc. Valdez rode Quack perfect and they got up for 3rd about 1.5 lengths back. Steve told me that if he swung him out and hit him twice, they win by 4. Valdez looked a little disappointed after the race and Charlie said he rode him perfect. “You win that race for fun and we get 134 for the Big ‘Cap!” Quack got 126 and ran 5th in the mud. Charlie couldn’t control the weather.

To those forum members reading along here, just a personal note to share.....
I recently had the pleasure of having lunch with Curtis at Santa Anita's Frontrunner and it was like sitting with a talking set of encyclopedias. The man has an incredible memory and it was really a pleasure to sit and listen in person. With that said, I'd like to encourage any of you, if you have an opportunity to meet somebody from behind the keyboard, I can almost guarantee you'll like it. I still have fond memories of meeting forumites from Del Mar 20 years ago! Maybe at the Derby or at a Breeders Cup or a Thursday at Belmont, whatever, wherever, go for it.

[Curtis]

Back in the day when Bobby Frankel, Charlie Whittingham and others would generate great arguments about weight, I recall one of 'em making the case that they'd rather have Pincay at 117 or even +2 than a 100 pound jock with 17 pounds of dead weight in his saddle bags. It made sense to me, but not sure it was ever important.

I remember when Shoe would get days and Whittingham needed a jock to ride one of his top horses in a stake, he would resurrect Howard Grant who was a terrific rider but tacked around 123. Charlie’s horses would always have 125 or more so Grant’s weight didn’t matter. If it were a prep, like the San Antonio, Bel Air, etc., Grant was perfect because he’d look good stiffing the horse to just win or run 2nd and he was happy to get a good horse to ride. I remember inn1974, Whittingham needed to find a jock to ride Quack in an allowance prep for the Big ‘Cap. Pierce had been given days and because it was an allowance race Quack was getting a weight break. So Charlie puts Valdez on Quack with detailed instructions as to how to stiff him—let him lag, keep him inside, only hit him once at the 3/16, etc. Valdez rode Quack perfect and they got up for 3rd about 1.5 lengths back. Steve told me that if he swung him out and hit him twice, they win by 4. Valdez looked a little disappointed after the race and Charlie said he rode him perfect. “You win that race for fun and we get 134 for the Big ‘Cap!” Quack got 126 and ran 5th in the mud. Charlie couldn’t control the weather.

To those forum members reading along here, just a personal note to share.....
I recently had the pleasure of having lunch with Curtis at Santa Anita's Frontrunner and it was like sitting with a talking set of encyclopedias. The man has an incredible memory and it was really a pleasure to sit and listen in person. With that said, I'd like to encourage any of you, if you have an opportunity to meet somebody from behind the keyboard, I can almost guarantee you'll like it. I still have fond memories of meeting forumites from Del Mar 20 years ago! Maybe at the Derby or at a Breeders Cup or a Thursday at Belmont, whatever, wherever, go for it.

Fooled another one I see. As has been said when legend becomes fact, always print the legend. It’s far more interesting. And not only did stark put up with my prodigious pontificating, he picked up lunch. I turn 61 on Saturday. On my 11th birthday, almost 50 years ago, my grandfather took me to Hollywood Park where I witnessed the highs and lows all within 1:21. A rapidly becoming all time favorite, Ancient Title, held off an another favorite, Woodland Pines, to win the Los Angeles Handicap. The mercurial Linda’s Chief began the race but did not finish it, however he finished in the ultimate sense. An old race tracker once said to me in measured matter of fact frankness, back when his name for me was accurate. “Talkin’ horses and Baseball is good for ya Kid………..it keeps the mind from turnin’ to mush”. May our teams score many runs while our horses have clear ones.

[Diver52]

I met a few members of the Del Mar FF back around 2005 or so and they were all good company. I don't think Stark was one of them, though!