A four-time Eclipse Award winner and a member of racing's Hall of Fame since 2017, Venezuelan native Javier Castellano has won the 2023 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award via a nationwide vote of his fellow riders.
Castellano, 45, will be honored in a winner's circle ceremony at Santa Anita Park this spring.
Presented annually by Santa Anita since 1950 and one of the most coveted awards in racing, the Woolf Award recognizes those riders whose careers and personal character garner esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred racing. The award can be won only once.
"I am proud to have been honored and selected to win this incredible award," said Castellano, who immigrated to the United States in June 1997. "It is one that is obviously prestigious, but to be voted by my fellow riders truly makes this so special. I admire my fellow nominees as well as the other incredible riders that have won this award in years past.
"The significance of this award definitely does not go unnoticed. I have so many people to thank and I look forward to having my family with me to accept this award at Santa Anita."
The George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award is named after the late Hall of Fame jockey who gained national acclaim by winning the inaugural Santa Anita Handicap Feb. 23, 1935, aboard Azucar and later by piloting the immortal Seabiscuit to victory over Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year War Admiral in match race at Pimlico Race Course Nov. 1, 1938. The award has honored most of the greatest names in the sport's history.
The son of a jockey, Castellano's first winner came aboard Phone Man on July 31, 1997, at defunct Calder Race Course. Castellano would soon become a dominant force in New York, winning a combined 12 riding titles at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course. His wife is Abby, and they have three children, Kayla, Sienna, and Brad. He is the son-in-law of Terry Meyocks, national director of the Jockeys' Guild.
A winner of four consecutive Eclipse Awards as North America's outstanding jockey in 2013-16, Castellano rose to national prominence on Oct. 30, 2004, when he guided the Frank Stronach homebred and Bobby Frankel-trained Ghostzapper to victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Lone Star Park.
Castellano now has career purse earnings of more than $377 million, second all-time only to fellow Hall of Famer John Velazquez, and through March 1, had recorded 5,619 North American wins. A winner of a record six runnings of the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, Castellano's mounts earned a then-record $28.1 million in 2015. Victorious in 12 Breeders' Cup races, Castellano's other major victories include two Preakness Stakes (G1, 2006 and 2017) and the 2016 Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Castellano was joined on this year's Woolf ballot by fellow finalists Daniel Centeno, Terry Houghton, Edwin Maldonado, and Willie Martinez. A date for the Woolf Award presentation ceremony at Santa Anita will be announced soon.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
