LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, March 30, 2016) – Upon learning the news of Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel’s retirement on Wednesday morning, Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery issued the following statement:
“Along with his three Kentucky Derby victories and his status as one of the most accomplished jockeys in Churchill Downs history, Calvin’s 20 years at our track were as notable for his relationship with our fans as his excellence on the track. Calvin rose to racing’s Hall of Fame from humble beginnings, and that was reflected in his ongoing relationship with our fans – and especially children. He loved the kids and felt a responsibility to provide a positive image to them and to let them know daily how much he appreciated them. There have been few, if any, individuals quite like Calvin Borel in 142 years of history at Churchill Downs. We thank him for a job well done and wish him the best in the future.”
BOREL BACKGROUND:
Borel, born Nov. 7, 1966 in St. Martin, La., spent his first full season riding at Churchill Downs in the Fall of 1995. He won 1,189 races over 45 race meetings beneath the Twin Spires to rank second all-time at Churchill Downs only behind Pat Day’s 2,482 victories. Sixty of Borel’s victories came in stakes events, which places him third all-time at the track behind Day’s 156 and Robby Albarado’s 76.
Borel was a four-time leading rider at Churchill Downs: 1999 Fall (42 wins), 2006 Fall (23), 2009 Fall (27) and 2010 Spring (52).
Borel’s ranks 27th all-time among North American jockeys with a record of 34,915-5,146-4,616-4,030—$127,
Borel is a three-time Kentucky Derby winner – Street Sense (2007), Mine That Bird (2009) and Super Saver (2010) – and one-time winner of the Preakness (the filly Rachel Alexandra in 2009). Inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame in 2013, Borel is one of only nine jockeys to win 5,000 races and at least four Triple Crown classics. The others are: Laffit Pincay Jr. (9,530 wins/4 Triple Crown classics); Bill Shoemaker (8,833/11); Pay Day (8,803/9); Chris McCarron (7,141/6); Angel Cordero Jr. (7,057/6); Eddie Delahoussaye (6,384/5); Jerry Bailey (5,893/5); and Kent Desormeaux (5,725/6).
Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 142st running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on May 7, 2016. The track’s 2016 Spring Meet is scheduled for April 30-July 2. Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships eight times. Information is available at www.ChurchillDowns.com.
