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Three-time champion rider Dominguez retires
Dominguez was coming off a sensational season, with his 2012 mounts earning a record $25,582,252, when he a sustained slightly displaced skull fracture during the spill at Aqueduct. Doctors were optimistic at the time that he could return to the saddle, but it wound up being career-ending. Despite being sidelined on two separate occasions in 2012, missing approximately six weeks of competition, Dominguez still won 341 races from 1,398 starts (24 percent) and led all riders on the New York Racing Association circuit, compiling a total of 322 victories. He captured riding titles at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga, establishing a new single-season record for wins at Saratoga with 68. He easily bested the previous earnings mark of $23,354,960 set by Jerry Bailey in 2003. "I want to personally thank my family, fans, and fellow riders for overwhelming support in the months since my accident," Dominguez said. "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." Dominguez won six races on the same card for the third time in his career last July at Saratoga and the well-respected journeyman also received the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 2012, which honors jockeys whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred racing. New York Racing Association (NYRA) Vice President and Director of Racing P.J. Campo issued the following statement: "All of us at NYRA are saddened to learn that Ramon Dominguez has been forced to end his riding career. Ramon distinguished himself immediately upon moving his tack to New York in 2009. Already a wintertime regular at Aqueduct, Ramon made a seamless transition to riding full-time on the NYRA circuit. He won numerous meet riding titles and many of our top races, en route to becoming New York's leading rider for each of the past four years. "Ramon's accomplishments -- including the last three Eclipse awards as North America's top jockey -- only tell part of the story, though. He has epitomized class both on and off the racetrack. Universally respected by his fellow riders and beloved by fans, Ramon has built a towering and well-deserved reputation that serves as a standard for all future jockeys. It has been a true privilege to have him in the NYRA riding colony and we wish him and his family the very best in this new chapter of their lives." Rick Violette Jr., president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, echoed the same feeling of loss for New York racing. "It was a shock to hear the announcement today that Ramon was retiring. He has always showcased the very best that New York racing has to offer, not only through his ability as a rider, but also as one of the classiest people in the sport," Violette said. "That he will be sorely missed can't be overstated, but we wish him much good luck in the future, and sincerely hope that his future includes continued involvement in horse racing. Racing will always need role models like Ramon." Dominguez began riding horses at 16 and came to the United States from Venezuela in 1995, winning his first race at Hialeah in March 1996. "Ramon Dominguez leaves an indelible mark on Thoroughbred racing and his profession," NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop said. "His many victories and achievements earned him three consecutive Eclipse Awards as the nation's leading jockey in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Above all, he epitomizes sportsmanship and professionalism as demonstrated by the respect he earned from his fellow jockeys. He is destined for Thoroughbred racing's Hall of Fame." Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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