Ramon Dominguez retires
 

Sadly, Ramon forced to retire..

Pretty awful news. . . I'll miss watching him. Guy's a class act.

Statement:

“Riding thoroughbreds has always been my passion and my calling. When I was 13 and watched my first horse race in Venezuela, I knew that I would become a jockey, and my riding career has brought happiness and success beyond what I ever expected.

Thus, it is extremely difficult for me to announce that due to the severity of the injuries I sustained in an accident at Aqueduct Racetrack on January 18, 2013, my professional riding career has come to an end. While I hoped and even expected to be able to return to the saddle, as a result of my injuries and upon the advice of my treating physicians, it has been determined that I will no longer be able to pursue my career as a jockey.

I want to personally thank my family, fans, and fellow riders for overwhelming support in the months since my accident. I chose to make this statement to end speculation about my future, but I am not yet ready to speak publicly. I will come forward on my own, but in the meantime I ask that you please respect my privacy as I continue my recovery.”

Probably the best inside rider I have ever seen, a dangerous and courageous place to hang out for a rider on a regular basis.

I had never met him but he seemed like a good guy.

Nobody better.

Horrible news. An incredible talent in his prime who will be missed. I'm certain that there is a place for him somewhere in the game and my best wishes for full recovery.

Wow, very sad news
 

The SMARTEST riderI think I ever saw, could take a horse to the lead and put em to sleep, or be extremely patient and wait. Wish him nothing but the best. Sad loss for the game, but glad he is ok.

Terrible news. The guy was as reliable as they come. He'll be missed.

He reminded me of Pat Day the way he could get a horse to relax.

I started attending the Preakness in 1999 and stumbled upon Dominguez - how could I not?
He won everything, but one race really endeared me to him.
Ramon had a mount in the race after the Preakness in 2004, and I bet on him as he rode a debuter named Fully Engaged at 7-1...hopelessly last by about 14 lengths at the 1/4 pole, Ramon rode the hair off this guy to run by Ball Four (among others) and get up by a nostril.
What a thrill - he's been my favorite ever since.
Ramon used to make forays to Belmont and Saratoga for a few years (mainly riding for Motion) and it was only a matter of time before the move became permanent.

Too bad he never won a Triple Crown race
I would take him over any jock in the last 15yrs

Sad loss for the game for sure. Having said that I'll be smiling when he's ready to return to contribute in a different capacity. As classy and as well liked as he appears to be, we clearly need him back.

I continue to wish him well and God bless him and his family.

Agreed on all counts. Class act.

And he always had time for young fans.

I echo what others have said--he is a true class act and will always remain one of my favorite jockeys of all time. Very sad to see him retire. :(

Here he is on Little Mike in the paddock before they won the Arlington Million last year:

Sad news indeed. Always knew when I bet a horse with him aboard I would get a great ride. Hope the best for a full recovery. Will be missed.

just awful. i was afraid it might be the case, but was hoping he'd make it back. hate to see their careers end too soon. he will be missed for sure! great guy, great rider.
reminds of when i saw what turned out to be laffits last ride. hate to see things like that happen.

Sad news indeed....I would only repeat the words others have posted, only regret is that I never got to see him ride "live". My best wishes for a healthy recovery, true champion. :tro:

Great photos as always Rev...

Ramon Dominguez retires
 

Fond memories of that sensational ride! Wish him nothing but a full recovery and continued success in the game.

he was at the top of his game. sorry for him he will be missed.

Very sad news, hopefully he will recover enough to stay in the industry in another position, guy is the most talented jockey I've seen in the last few years and a great guy by all accounts. Good luck in your future career Ramon!

My favorite jockey ever. This sucks!

I can only echo your sentiments.

A favorite rider aboard a favorite horse, both now retired

When Battle Won was getting ready for the CD Hdcp in 2005 the owner wanted to change riders. Being on Derby Day there was of course a lot of options. Despite my lack of knowledge of advanced stats I thought that Ramon would be a good fit. He rode a flawless race and what impressed me the most was despite him not riding on that circuit he had his agent get my address and a few weeks later a very generous check for the groom, ex rider and assistants was in the mailbox. He isn't the only jockey to do this but the amount was very generous and these were people that he didn't even know other than meeting them for a few brief seconds in the paddock before the race.

He was a genuine guy in a business full of phonies.

Nice story, haven't heard to many of these about wealthy athletes lately.

We speak his name ! :tro::tro::tro:

appreciation
 

A sad day for racing. Couple of things I remember. First, you could tell he was riding a hoss without a program. He had such great form and technique. When he would rear back and give the hoss that one sharp crack of the whip about 40 yards from the wire that so many times spurred him on to victory, it was wonderful to watch. Always would smile at the kids as they went from paddock to track at the spa. He knew how to read a racing form too. Great strategist as a race rider. I never saw him hold a hoss. Maybe if we all send him some good healing vibes, he will ride again. If Red Pollard could do it, maybe Ramon too.

Nice! Sounds like the rare combo of talent and grace. He had nearly off-the-charts ROI when shipping in to NY in 2004, a year during which I kept meticulous jockey stats. The NY bettors grossly underestimated his talent, as I think Calzone already mentioned. Great hearing from Cannon and others that he's a good guy, too, although it makes the accident and the retirement all that much sadder.

--Dunbar

will be missed, probably the best or one of the best of all time, but I will always remember him as the jockey of Scrappy T, in The Preakness, I had a 100 DD with Eddington , with a payoff of about 750.00 for a $2 bet, as I watched the race and Ramon had him in perfect position, but he blew the turn and Afleet Alex almost went down, insted my 100 DD went down, and the 35,000 ticket I thought was good, became crap. Thanks for the memories...................

Even the most difficult decision of the guys life seems to come off with class and conviction as evidenced by his remarks. The game has lost a rare talent who excelled everywhere he competed. Hopefully he finds a way to stay in the game in a significant way.....

DRF | Dominguez trying to adjust to life without racing

Ramon's sadness in the video interview with Mig is palpable. :(

Yea that sucks....hopefully he saved much of the money he made so that he will basically have a comfortable life and can do some of the things in life that will make him somewhat happy.

Ramon Dominguez has cathartic experience at Saratoga WarHorse

Blood-Horse > Hangin' With Haskin > Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

:tro:
Excellent.

He's been my favorite since he was in Md....Steve (anyone?) is there any chance he could return to racing one day?

Not in the irons sadly. The retirement decision was made when it became clear that getting medical clearance to ride was going to be almost impossible.

Like a lot of jockey "retirements", I really took Ramon's retirement as it's taking him much longer than expected to get better, but one day we''ll see him back. Didn't know of this detail though.... bummer. I'm still hoping that there still might be the slimmest of chances in the next couple years the he's healed enough to get cleared