rider

He's 61, hasn't ridden since 2016 and recently had a knee replaced. For most, this would be the time to enjoy retirement and look back on a career that carried him to the heights of his profession. But Pat Valenzuela doesn't see it that way. He's been working horses at Del Mar and Santa Anita, says he feels good and is seriously contemplating making a comeback. "I'm a little heavy now, so I don't know if I'll be able to do the weight," he said. "But I'm sure going to...

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy will ride likely G1 Melbourne Cup favourite Deauville Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the two-mile race at Flemington on Nov. 1, trainer James Ferguson announced. "McEvoy has been confirmed," said Ferguson, who has worked with McEvoy in years' past. "He's won the race three times and knows his way around Flemington. He's a very good friend of mine and we have worked together a lot in the past." The two-time group-winning gelding is due to enter quarantine shortly. Racing in the colours of K K...

Slade Callaghan, who has recorded nearly 850 career wins, including 31 stakes, has been named the 2022 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award. The award is given to the person, Canadian-born, Canadian-raised or regular rider in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to the sport. "I was really humbled," said Callaghan. "I've been here at Woodbine 28 years and every year I've been here I've seen so many great riders, who have had amazing careers, receive this award. For me to be added...

Jockey DeShawn Parker scored his 6000th win aboard For Mama at Horseshoe Indianapolis Tuesday night. Only 20 other jockeys have reached that milestone. "This means the world to me, and I was riding for my dad, because I couldn't have been here without him," said Parker, who lost his Dad, Daryl, a longtime steward in the state of Ohio in the spring of 2021 to cancer. "He knew I was getting close to this milestone, but he never said much about any of the milestones. He's the one that kept...

Cheltenham will honour the late Lorna Brooke on Friday's seven-race Hunter Chase Racing card. The penultimate race on the card, the Lorna Brooke Open Hunters' Chase goes off at 7.45p.m. Brooke, 37, passed away Apr. 19 as the result of a spinal injury sustained during a fall at Taunton Racecourse Apr. 18. "Lorna was a dear friend and rode for me on many occasions," said Shropshire-based Philip Rowley. "I will always be thankful to her for providing me with my first winner under Rules, which was The General Lee in...