Hill Officially Retires Two Years After Severe Injury

Two years after suffering a severe neck and back injury in a race at Oaklawn Park, jockey Channing Hill announced Dec. 6 that he has retired from the sport.

"Thank you to all the people and horses that made my career feel so special. Being a jockey was a dream come true. On the advice from my family and doctors I've officially retired from professional riding," Hill said in a Facebook post.

"Again thank you to all the horse racing community over the years and all over of the world, it's because of all of you my experience was filled with truly unbelievable opportunities and the formation of so many beautiful relationships. This journey sometimes feels like it really was just a dream of a small town Nebraska kid."

Hill, a native of Grand Island, Neb., and son of former jockey Allan Hill, began his riding career in 2003 and swiftly climbed the ranks. In 2004 he rode his first winner and in 2005 he was a finalist for an Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey apprentice.

In 2017, it was a year of firsts for Hill when he rode in all three legs of the Triple Crown including Fast and Accurate  in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), and Senior Investment  who was third in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and fifth in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1).

Later that year he rode Coffeepot Stables' Farrell  to victory in the Chilukki Stakes (G2), and went on in 2018 to capture the Shuvee Stakes (G3), both for his father-in-law, trainer Wayne Catalano. Hill is married to Catalano's daughter Shelbi and the two have four children together.

Also campaigned by the Coffeepot/Catalano duo was Liora  who Hill rode to a win in the 2018 Golden Rod Stakes (G2) as well as a runner-up finish in the 2019 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Some of his other top mounts include 2014 Fantasy Stakes (G3) winner Sugar Shock ; Sweet Vendetta , winner of the 2008 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2); 2008 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (G2) victor Golden Dawn ; and multiple stakes winner Hoonani Road . His lone grade 1 win came with First Defence  in the 2008 Forego Handicap (G1).

On April 17, 2020, Hill was unseated from Muskoka Wonder  during the second race at Oaklawn. He underwent successful surgery three days later and was released shortly after. At the time it was uncertain when or if Hill would return to riding. He ends his career with 1,204 wins from 10,987 starts.