Racing: Bailey decides to call it quits

Jerry Bailey became the third United States Hall of Fame jockey to call it quits in the last six months when he announced his retirement from racing this week.

The final race for the 48-year-old Bailey will be on January 28 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.

With nearly 6000 wins, including two in the Kentucky Derby and a record 15 in the Breeders' Cup, Bailey said he wanted to spend more time with his family.

"I also want to walk away in one piece," Bailey said.

"I thank God for not only the talent he has blessed me with but also keeping me in relatively good health."

Bailey joins recent retirees Pat Day and Gary Stevens on the sidelines, leaving the sport with a void of big name jockeys.

"It is pretty amazing the group of talented riders that has retired and maybe it's cyclical," he said.

"Maybe some of our careers extended further than we thought so it's all grouped together a little bit more."

Bailey, who will become a racing analyst for ABC and ESPN television, overcame alcoholism early in his career to record victories in six United States triple crown races and five Breeders' Cup Classics.

But he said the greatest triumph in his 31-year career was in the Dubai World Cup a decade ago.

"The Kentucky Derbys are obviously very special because as a jockey when somebody walks up on the street and finds out what you do, the first question they'll ask is, 'Have you ever ridden in the Kentucky Derby?'

This is followed shortly by, 'Have you ever won it?'.

"That is probably the pinnacle of any jockey's aspiration.

"But I think if I had to pinpoint one, it would be the Dubai World Cup in 1996 with Cigar. I think mainly because not only was it a victory for me but I was representing the United States.

"It was being as close to an Olympian as I could probably ever be."

Bailey, who won the 1996 Kentucky Derby aboard Grindstone and the 1993 Derby with Sea Hero, said he would like to be remembered as someone who "gave everybody their money's worth".

"I would like to be remembered as a jockey who always put a horse in the position to win if he was good enough."

The South Florida resident capped his career in style, winning the 2005 Breeders' Cup Classic with Saint Liam.

After winning America's richest horse race, Bailey said he was "comfortable" with his decision to retire. "What excited me most were the biggest races on the best horses on the biggest days.

"And to get to those days, there's a lot of routine days. I just didn't feel the passion on those days that I once felt."

- REUTERS