Legendary 56-Year-Old Jockey Bids Farewell to Equestrian Sports After Eventful Career of Winning 7,000 Races

Equestrian performance sport has been the lifeblood of Maryland racing for decades. Home to the Preakness Stakes, the state has given the sport many legendary jockeys, such as Kent Desormeaux, Sheldon Russell, and Julian Pimentel who have had illustrious careers. Another jockey on this list is Edgar Prado who entered the Hall of Fame in 2008. The legend recently announced his retirement from the sport on June, 20.

The Peru native has had a remarkable career that lasted over 37 years. During this long and illustrious career, he won 7,119 victories. With his many winnings, Prado ranks eighth in the sport’s history, and the news of his retirement has left a vacuum in the equestrian arena.

The Retirement News Left Many Dumbfounded

Prado has not commented much on his recent decision to retire. In a short statement given to Blood-Horse, he said, “It was getting harder and harder and I was wasting the time that I spent with my family, with my loved ones.” He wants to spend his remaining days with his kids at home.

Prado has not had the best run in recent years with just 15 matches won in 2021 and 11 in 2022. However, the great man that he is, he added “They all wanted new riders, …When I was 20, I took somebody’s place and now somebody is taking my place.” The racing course, Gulfstream Park announced his retirement in a tweet.

From what Prado himself said it seems he had been contemplating retirement for quite some time. His agent released a statement from Prado saying, “It’s a very tough sport”. But, to the equestrian icon, the life of a jockey was more than just a sport. It was a passion that he had pursued with all his might.

In the same statement the legend also clarified saying, “… if I were to be reborn, I would ask God if I could be a jockey again.” He showed his gratitude to everyone saying, “I cannot thank enough the many people who gave me the chance to achieve what I have. It has been a long and blessed career.”

A Career! Nay A Legacy!

During his career which includes the 2006 Kentucky Derby, and 2002 and 2004 Belmont Stakes Prado had seen many ups and downs. He started his career as a professional jockey in 1986 at the Florida race grounds and then moved to Suffolk Downs. However, he had his breakthrough at the Maryland tracks where he won 536 races in 1997. He was the winner of the GI Belmont S. in 2002 and 2004, and has also won the Breeders’ Cup races five times in this career.

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Most fans of Equestrian sports will remember Prado for his heroic saving of Barbaro. In the 131st Preakness Stakes, fan-favorite Barbaro suffered a fracture in his right hind leg. Prado quickly jumped off his mount and held the bridle with one hand and with the other steadied the colt. The hero later mused on the event saying, “I was hoping it was a bad dream,”. Prado’s legacy will forever be tied to Barbaro but to him every moment he spent on horseback was memorable.

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