Nakatani, Injured Last Summer, Retires From Riding

Veteran jockey Corey Nakatani, a winner of 3,909 races and more than $234 million in earnings, announced his retirement in a press release Nov. 23. Badly injured in a spill in the final race at Del Mar Aug. 4, 2018, the rider had sought to return to competition but the injuries he sustained ultimately led him to conclude his riding career.

The Del Mar spill—which occurred after his mount, Irish Spring, clipped heels and dislodged Nakatani after the horse was impeded by a rival—resulted in Nakatani suffering compression fractures of the T9 and T10 vertebrae, herniated discs in the C5, C6, and C7 vertebrae, and spinal cord compression. 

"Although I never imaged this was how my career would end, I am very proud of my accomplishments and know that I competed at the very highest of levels, which gives me a sense of satisfaction," he said in the release, distributed by his son and agent, Matt Nakatani.

A 49-year-old native of Covina, Calif., Nakatani was a champion high school wrestler who became interested in racing as a teenager. A fixture on the Southern California racing circuit, beginning in 1989, he quickly advanced through the ranks, winning 10 riding titles, the release said.

The rider won 10 Breeders' Cup races over his approximate 30-year career, the last of which was in the 2012 Dirt Mile aboard Tapizar . He won 341 graded stakes races, 120 grade 1s.

Besides his triumph in the Dirt Mile on Tapizar, he won the Breeders' Cup Sprint four times, the Juvenile Fillies twice, and the Distaff, Mile, and Turf Sprint. Though most of his success came in California, he also won major races on other circuits, including the Kentucky Oaks twice, and also races in other countries such as the Dubai Golden Shaheen.

A win in a Triple Crown race eluded him. He finished with a 0-for-18 record in the Kentucky Derby (G1), his best finish being a second aboard Nehro in 2011.

Among his many top mounts were Lava Man, Sandpit, My Miss Aurelia, Serena's Song, Lite Lite, and Shared Belief.

"I want to extent profound thanks to the many I worked with over the years ... all of the owners, trainers and so many other people that all helped me along in my tremendous career," he said. "I also want to thank the fans. My fans were truly the best and I continue to hear and receive support, even now."

Nakatani is one of the more celebrated riders to not be in the National Museum of Racing And Hall of Fame, possibly hindered by occasional hot-headed behavior, one example of which came in 1997 when he pushed apprentice Ryan Barber off his mount during the gallop out following a race.

Nakatani is the 12th leading rider of all time based on purse earnings. The 11 riders ahead of him are in the Hall of Fame, and several behind him—Garrett Gomez, Russell Baze, and Victor Espinoza—are, as well.

A winner's circle ceremony honoring Nakatani will take place Nov. 30 at Del Mar, the release said. A tweet from Del Mar stated "Corey certainly left his mark on Del Mar. 702 winners, 108 stakes, & countless memories."