Gary Stevens Retires; To Join TVG as Analyst

From The Bloodhorse:
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens announced his retirement from riding Friday, but will not be leaving the sport. In a Churchill Downs press conference, Stevens said he would be joining the Television Games Network (TVG) as a racing analyst. Stevens will ride his last two races Saturday, when he has mounts on Sabatini in the Golden Rod Stakes and Louvre Royale in the 12th and final race on the Churchill card.

"Over the years it's been a wonderful career, but it's time to hang it up," Stevens noted. "I've thought about it at great length. I'm happy I can walk away in one piece. There are several reasons to do this now. Certainly the opportunities to work in television; making weight has been hard for the past four or five years; and my knees, although not the main issue, are a factor."

The 42-year-old native of Idaho recently captured his 5,000th victory despite riding the past several years with chronic knee problems which caused him to announce his retirement in 1999. After brief stints as an assistant trainer and jockey agent, Stevens felt his knees had heeled sufficiently to begin riding again. He shifted his tack from California to Churchill Down earlier this year.

Stevens said his biggest moment in the saddle was winning his first Kentucky Derby (gr. I) with Winning Colors. "Passing those twin spires, that was it," Stevens said, choking back emotion. He mentioned Rock Hard Ten, Point Given, Thunder Gulch, Silver Charm, Serena's Song, Silverbulletday, and Winning Colors as the best horses he's been on.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=31159

He's intelligent, knows the game and speaks well.

but, from what I understand, his knees have been bothering him alot. I look forward to seeing him on TV. Hopefully he will be able to give insight about the Jocks, Exercise Riders, Grooms etc. The people and the horses of the industry are a compelling story. More time needs to be spent on some of the characters that are horse racing and less on betting the races. Wagering is important but, if we want to make this truly a family activity we have to offer more than the Daily Double.

Of course, I'm not very objective, but, I truly love everything about horse racing. Well, maybe I don't really love Frankel.

We need some media people who can present the animals and the
people who make the game run on a daily basis to the public.
This game is not about Frankel, Pletcher or anyone else.
It is about the horses. And the most marketable stories should
be the ones that involve the people who have dedicated their
lives to the horses seven days a week, all year round.

There are so many great stories around the racetrack. There is
not shortage of characters like there used to be on the track -
but rather a shortage of writers who can write about them with
love and humor.

Rock Hard Ten's retirement helped him make the decision now; he was so high on Rock's abilities. I'll really miss him in the saddle, and he's been a great ambassador for the game. Hopefully, his involvement with TVG will keep him close enough to the track to help him ease into retirement. I look forward to hearing him on-air.

All jocks face disappointments like the big horse retiring, but
what they can't deal with is chronic pain. He has been battling
this thing with his knees for a long time. He used to do ads for
cosequin, a joint supplement that is marketed for horses but now
for people too ( I hate it - I've tried it)and he felt it helped
him prolong his career for a couple of years.

Good to see you aaronbees.