Hernandez Jr. Wins Mike Venezia Memorial Award

Veteran jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. has been selected as the 2024 Mike Venezia Memorial Award recipient, the New York Racing Association announced Aug. 7. Hernandez, who gave Mystik Dan a rail-skimming ride to prevail in the Kentucky Derby (G1), was chosen by a committee comprised of members of the Venezia family, representatives of The Jockeys' Guild, and retired Eclipse Award-winning jockey Richard Migliore. Hernandez will be recognized at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 23. "As a rider, I try to win races on the track and represent the sport as best I can off the track," Hernandez said. "To be recognized with the Venezia Memorial Award is an honor. My family and I look forward to celebrating this award and thanking the Venezia family here at Saratoga Race Course." The Mike Venezia Memorial Award is presented annually to a jockey who displays the extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship that personified Venezia, who died as the result of injuries suffered in a spill in 1988. Venezia, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., won more than 2,300 races during his 25-year career. "From the outset of his career, Brian has been a true representative for horse racing and a professional in every way," said Terry Meyocks, president and CEO of The Jockeys' Guild. "As the winner of the Venezia Award, he joins a group of elite riders who have distinguished themselves as role models and pillars of the racing community. We thank NYRA for continuing this tradition, and congratulate Brian on his accomplishments." Hernandez's triumph in this year's Kentucky Derby took place the day after his commanding wire-to-wire win aboard Thorpedo Anna in the 150th Kentucky Oaks (G1), making him one of only eight riders to capture those races in the same year and the first in 15 years. Both wins came for trainer Kenny McPeek. Since those major races in early May, the 38-year-old rider won the Acorn Stakes (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) on Thorpedo Anna. A native of Lafayette, La., Hernandez hails from a racing family. His father, Brian Hernandez Sr., is a former jockey and his brother Colby and sister Courtney are Louisiana-based jockeys. He rode his first winner in 2003 at Louisiana's Delta Downs Racetrack. In 2004, Hernandez was honored with the Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice jockey and in the years since has built a career at the pinnacle of the sport. He won the 2012 Whitney Invitational Handicap (G1) and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on Fort Larned in other career achievements. He has more than 2,590 wins overall and purse earnings in excess of $134.9 million. The Venezia Memorial Award is a 13-inch bronze sculpture with a title that reads, "The Jockey, A Champion." Hernandez joins a legendary group of riders who have won the award previously, led by Venezia, who posthumously earned the inaugural award in 1989. "I took so many lessons from Mike Venezia both in how to ride to the best of my ability and in how to carry myself as a professional," said Migliore. "I congratulate Brian on this richly deserved honor. He is becoming part of a special group of riders." Other winners include Bill Shoemaker, Chris McCarron, Angel Cordero Jr., Jerry Bailey, Mike Smith, Pat Day, Laffit Pincay Jr., Robbie Davis, Eddie Maple, Gary Stevens, Jorge Chavez, Mike Luzzi, Dean Kutz, Richard Migliore, Patti Cooksey, Edgar Prado, Ramon Dominguez, John Velazquez, Jon Court, Mario Pino, Kendrick Carmouche, Joe Bravo, Javier Castellano, DeShawn Parker, Julien Leparoux, and the 2023 winner Junior Alvarado.