Stevens to start new racing stable

Gary Stevens, the Hall of Fame jockey who hung up his tack in 2005 with over

5,000 wins and earnings exceeding $221 million, is opening a California-based

racing stable. The newly-organized Gary Stevens Racing Stable Inc. will have

stalls at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, and runners will ship from

there to various locations across the United States.

"This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, and things finally fell

into place," said Stevens, who also works as an analyst for NBC Sports and HRTV.

"We're starting out with several nice horses and looking forward to slowly

building up the stable."

Stevens will be assisted by his son, T.C. Stevens, who worked for Ashford

Stud for two years and also gained experience with other California and

Florida-based operations before joining his father's fledgling team.

"It's a family business," Stevens said. "My father Ron is a trainer, my

brother Scott is a jockey, and my older brother Craig is a breeder. It was only

natural for T.C. to follow in those footsteps as well."

Stevens, 46, won eight Breeders' Cup races, a record nine runnings of the

Santa Anita Derby (G1), and eight Triple Crown races -- including three editions

each of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont S. (G1) -- in a racing career that

spanned 27 years. Since his retirement, he has served as a consultant for IEAH

Stables and various other racing operations, in addition to his duties as an

analyst.

"We met on the set of 'Seabiscuit'," said Nick Mestrendrea, owner of 2007

inaugural Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Maryfield. "Gary brought me

into the business shortly thereafter and I haven't looked back. I am thrilled to

be on board with him as an owner in his new racing stable and wish him nothing

but the best in his new endeavor."