New Mexico-Based Jockey Lambert to Retire

Jockey Casey Lambert, who turns 50 Aug. 24 and has won nearly 3,400 races on Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, plans to retire from riding when the summer horse racing season ends Sept. 7.

"I've been riding really well, but I've decided that it's time," Lambert said. "I've always had in the back of my mind that when my boys graduate from high school, that's when I would start to wind it up. Now it's been a couple of years past that, and I'm turning 50 this summer; I'm ready to start a new chapter in my life."

Lambert started his career two days after his 16th birthday in 1981 at Ruidoso Downs. His father, Clifford, won the first All American Futurity aboard Galobar in 1959 and is the all-time winning trainer in New Mexico history. His grandfather, George Cosper, is considered one of New Mexico's all-time top trainers. The award for the annual leading trainer from the New Mexico Horsemen Association is named after Cosper.

"Our family has been involved in New Mexico horse racing for several generations," Lambert said. "We've been very fortunate to have been involved with many good horses. I know that I'll still be involved in racing after this summer, only not as a jockey."

Lambert has won nearly 30 races this summer at Ruidoso Downs, which places him at or near the top of the rider standings with five weeks remaining in the season. Among his mounts, Lambert is scheduled to ride favored Scat Means Go in the $50,000 Aspen Cup Aug. 8.

The most famous horse Lambert ever rode was Mine That Bird, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Lambert rode the 3-year-old in the WinStar Derby (now the grade III Sunland Derby) that year, just weeks before the horse upset the field at Churchill Downs. 

"I still haven't watched the movie ('50 to 1'), because I've been told they didn't treat my character very well," Lambert said with a grin. "There's no doubt that the stars aligned that day for that horse in the Kentucky Derby. Calvin Borel was the perfect rider and got that horse through on the rail, when no one else would have been able to. I'm very happy for all those connections and for Mine That Bird."

Lambert points to Heritage of Gold, the third-place finisher in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I), as the best racehorse he's ever ridden. Lambert guided the daughter of Gold Legend to four stakes wins, including three at Lone Star Park and the 1999 Molly Pitcher Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. II) at Monmouth Park.

"Steve Asmussen trained that horse when I rode her and they switched trainers before the Breeders' Cup," Lambert said. "I believe that Heritage of Gold would have won the Breeders' Cup had she remained in his barn. I would have loved the opportunity to ride her in that race, but I have no regrets."

Lambert said he has traveled across the country riding horses on every circuit and calls many jockeys, "my best friends." He said he's humbled to have had a long, successful career riding horses.

"I'm not making a big deal out of retiring," Lambert said. "I'm still going to be around the horses and might try my hand at training. I'm thankful to my family and friends for all their support through the years."

On the Thoroughbred side, Lambert has won 2,721 races through Aug. 6, including 191 stakes.