The legendary Hall of Fame career of Javier Castellano added another new chapter Aug. 26 as the 48-year-old became the 22nd rider to win 6,000 races in North America.
The victory did not come simply, as Castellano's mount Starship Lizzy traded blows in the stretch with third-place finisher All Bright in the 7-furlong contest for $35,000 maiden claimers at Saratoga Race Course. The stewards reviewed the incident and, luckily for Castellano, he was able to joke about it in the winner's circle as they decided no disqualification was necessary.
"Even my 6,000th I still had to sweat my result," Castellano joked. "Nothing is easy in this game."
Yet as difficult as the game is, Castellano found a way to master it to the best of his ability since arriving in the United States in 1997. The Venezuelan rider picked up his first win aboard Phone Man July 31, 1997, at the now-defunct Calder Race Course in just his second ride that year. In the winner's circle Wednesday, he remembered the phone call he placed to his mother, sharing his excitement that he'd be able to tell people back home that he had won a race in America.
"I was so happy," Castellano said. "I couldn't imagine being a Hall of Fame jockey, winning Eclipse Awards, the Breeders' Cup Classic. I think I've been blessed."
As his career unfolded, he had a lot more to tell everyone back home. Castellano has won 512 graded stakes in North America, including 139 at the grade 1 level. He won the Kentucky Derby (G1) in 2023 with Mage , Preakness Stakes (G1) in 2006 with Bernardini and 2017 with Cloud Computing , and Belmont Stakes (G1) in 2023 with Arcangelo . He also won 12 Breeders' Cup races, including the 2004 Classic with Ghostzapper.
Yet, one of the most special achievements for Castellano is his record seven victories in Saratoga's feature event: the Travers Stakes (G1).
"This is the biggest stage in the world, I believe," he said about getting his milestone win at the Spa. "The biggest competition all year round."
Castellano noted how tough the game can be mentally, and how a series of slumps can make one feel like giving up. Castellano had one of those moments in 2022 when his 12-year streak of riding in the Kentucky Derby came to a close. Given the stage of his career, he began to believe he was never going to win the Run for the Roses.
As luck would have it, he would return to the Derby starting gate the very next year and make his first visit to the winner's circle aboard Mage. He would then end up winning the Belmont with Arcangelo, creating a rare double of winning two-thirds of the Triple Crown with different horses.
"It looks easy, 6,000 races, but you got to go through almost 40,000 races to win 6,000. Keep in mind how many you have to lose to win 6,000," Castellano said. "I'm very fortunate to have the mindset, be strong and be disciplined, dedication, and hard work. It pays off, I believe so."
His illustrious career has been honored with four consecutive Eclipse Awards for outstanding jockey from 2013-16. He was then enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2017.
As for 7,000 career wins, Castellano said he doesn't know whether he'll make it, although right now there is no stopping in sight. After all, he's focused on an eighth Travers win Aug. 29 with The Puma.
"I feel great, I feel so good," Castellano said. "As long as people give me support and ride the best horses, I'll be available."
