Retiring Equestrian Jockey Worth $83,543,795 Leaves Behind a Legacy of Inspiration

The famed Hall of Fame rider Gary Boulanger has announced his retirement from equestrian racing. The career which went over two decades is decorated with title-winning highlights like Queen’s Plate victory, Longacres’ title, and other Stakes wins. In his illustrious career, Boulanger has had many injuries some of which were very devastating.

With sheer determination and motivation, he always came back to the track and entertained the spectators with his wins. He mentioned that in his comebacks he felt more in tune with the horses which was a great feeling. The veteran jockey’s story of struggle and triumph on one particular life-threatening injury came to light after sharing it online. The story got fans’ attention and comments bidding adieu to the famed jockey.

Hall of Fame equestrian devastating injury story

The 55-year-old Hall of Fame jockey Gary Boulanger has decided to hang his boots. While announcing the decision he said that now it is the right time. In his view, there is nothing left to prove. He thanked all the people who supported him in his long career from trainers, and owners to fellow jockeys. Boulanger stated that there are ups and downs in one’s career but he finds a way to persevere. Speaking of lows, in Boulanger’s equestrian journey he had a life-threatening injury during a race at Gulfstream Park in 2005. A clip in which he remembers the incident and speaks about the ordeal was posted on X. The post was shared by Todd Schrupp and in the caption he wrote, “Inspiration is all around us, in HorseRacing I’m constantly inspired“.

In the clip, $83,543,795 worth Boulanger remembers that he was racing in Grade 3 Mac Diarmida Handicap. During the race, he was making a move on the second turn when his horse hit a bad patch and he slipped and fell own. The jockey to fell down along with the horse and was run over by two horses. In that tragic accident, he sustained fractured ribs, a ruptured spleen, torn elbow tendons, a blood clot, and brain damage which required removing part of his skull to treat the swelling. During the operation, he flatlined two times. The doctors were astonished at how he survived and said he would never again ride horses in racing. But, after a long rehab of eight years, he came back and proved the doctors wrong. The fans remembered the jockey for his races and came forward to comment on the story.

Fans praise the veteran jockey

The fans felt emotional and praised the jockey remembering his races and wished him good luck on his retirement.  One equestrian enthusiast said “I watched him at Bay Meadows. Great jockey. Happy retirement!” mentioning that he watched the veteran ride at Bay Meadows in California and wished him on retirement. Another fan wrote, “I remember watching him at Longacres“. Boulanger had a long history of races at Longacres and had 642 wins there.

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Another enthusiast wrote, “I knew Gary when he was a young rider at Golden Gate. He teamed with the late great racetracker Agent Stan Puich. They were a great team and great people. Wish him the best“. This person follows Boulanger since his Golden Gates races and mentions his relationship with the racetrack agent, wishing him the best for the future. Another fan said, “It was always good when either Gary or Michelle walked into your barn; the likelihood of cashing a bet was in the air“. He mentions that when Boulanger walked the barn the win a bet would be certain.

The retired famed jockey has left a long legacy and inspirational stories to take lessons from it. His equestrian journey is a book in itself that will amaze the reader with its every word.

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