Pat Day, United States thoroughbred racing's highest stakes earner with nearly US$298 million ($436.05 million), has decided to retire after a 32-year riding career.
Day, 51, who recently recovered from hip surgery, has earned US$297,941,912 in stakes and also ranks fourth in the US in total wins, with 8084.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association said Day, a devout Christian, had decided to minister to youth groups and will spend more time assisting the Race Track Chaplaincy of America programme.
Racing sources said Day was an easy choice when picking a jockey.
"He was a consummate professional," said Rick Waldman of Overbrook Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. "He was a big-money rider. He won all the big races."
His biggest victories were aboard Lil E. Tee in the 1992 Kentucky Derby and in the 1994 Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes aboard Tabasco Cat.
"He was known for relaxing horses, for saving his horse for the end of a race," Waldman said.
- REUTERS
Racing: Top jockey decides to call it a Day
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
