Worth a Whopping $199,334,219 Retired Equestrian Legend Bags One of the Rarest Honors

Competitive sports brought forth the dissemination of awards. Players usually win awards for successfully beating other competitors at an event. However, some rare awards and honors are received only by those who make significant contributions to the sport. In the same light, the equestrian world has chosen to reward this retired rider, who breathed the sport every minute he played it.

Russel Baze has officially christened himself as one of the rarest equestrian riders to receive this honor. His incredible performances throughout his career have made him receive the prestigious Avelino Gomez Memorial Award. 

A Ravishing Equestrian Career Spanning 42 Years!

Baze is among the few individuals who have given so many years of their life to equestrian sports. The mighty rider boasts a whopping 12,842 wins throughout his career. Out of these, 270 victories are stake victories! Starting his career as a competitive rider back in 1974 when he was 16, Baze retired after 42 years in 2016. 

Baze holds a very dominant position in the equestrian world. The Vancouver native is the all-time leader in the most number of victories secured by a rider. In fact, thus far, no jockey has come even close to touching his mammoth record. The Avelino Gomez Memorial Award is one of the many prestigious honors received by Baze for his immense contribution to the sport. Baze is the 38th recipient of the prestigious honor.

History of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award

The Avelino Gomez Memorial Award is a rare and esteemed honor. It is only given to an equestrian who hails from or has been raised in Canada. However, being Canadian isn’t the only eligibility criterion for this honor. To receive this prestigious honor, a rider must contribute immensely to thoroughbred racing. Moreover, the award is given to riders who have actively raced in Canada for more than five years. The award is named after one of the greatest players ever to grace the equestrian world, Avelino Gomez. Gomez was a Cuban native who made lasting impressions on the sport but sadly passed away in an accident on the field. 

ALSO READ – Despite Saddening End, Triple Crown Season Achieves a New $502,100,000 Record

To pay homage to his undying spirit, a life-size statue of Gomez was built, and the award is a replica of the great statue. Despite hailing from Cuba, the rider considered Toronto as his home. The Avelino Gomez Memorial Award was given away for the first time in 1984 to Ron Turcotte. Russel Baze was the perfect candidate for receiving the award this year, and the equestrian community couldn’t agree more.

WATCH STORY – Countdown of the Top 5 Moments That Can Set the Equestrian Crowd Ablaze