Retired Jockey, Trainer Baboolal Dead at 65
Description:
Retired jockey and trainer John Baboolal, of North Beach, Md., died at age 65 on Sept 11, said his wife, Barbara.
From Trinidad and Tobago, Baboolal began riding horses at Santa Rosa racetrack there, securing his jockey license at age 15, before moving to the U.S. where he rode his first winner in 1968 and continued riding through 1996. He then trained horses from 1999-2010. In 1985 Baboolal guided Air Miracle to victory in the Playpen Stakes at Bowie Race Course.
Baboolal's riding career was not without its problems as he received a 10-year license suspension for a 1974 race-fixing incident at Bowie that saw four other riders go to prison. During the suspension, he continued to exercise and break racehorses on farms. He returned to riding and officially retired as a jockey in 1997 due to weight issues but continued to exercise racehorses.
He obtained a trainer's license in 1998. In April, 1999 he purchased a horse named Go Bug Off for $1. He exercised and trained the horse and on July 1, 1999, won his first race in Maryland as a trainer and owner. Over the years he continued to train his own horses with a few wins.
Health issues and old injuries forced him to retire in 2010.
Donations in Baboolal's name can be made to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund at PDJF.org.