Three-Time KY Derby Winner Borel Retires

Three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel has decided to retire, effective immediately, according to his agent, retired jockey Larry Melancon.

Borel was named on seven horses the next three racing days at Oaklawn Park, where he has won two titles, and was scheduled to work horses the morning of March 30, including Cosmic Evolution for the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. III) April 9.

Melancon said Borel informed him Tuesday afternoon that he was retiring. The two talked again about 40 minutes before the track opened Wednesday morning, Melancon said, and nothing had changed.

“That’s all I know,” said Melancon, who had Borel’s book since late August.

Jerry Hissam, Borel’s close friend and longtime agent, was also unable to shed any light on the jockey’s abrupt retirement.

“I spoke with him and he said it was time,” Hissam said. “It was just time.”

Hissam had represented Borel for most of the last 25 years after taking the jockey’s book at the 1991 Oaklawn meeting.

Borel's decision was first reported by Daily Racing Form.

Borel, 49, was born in St. Martin, La., and rode his first winner at Delta Downs racetrack on Jan. 14, 1983.

Borel, who was inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in 2013, won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with Street Sense   in 2007, longshot Mine That Bird in 2009, and Super Saver   in 2010. He also finished third in the Derby with Revolutionary   and Dennis of Cork. 

Borel was the regular rider on Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, with whom he won the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

He was also second in the Preakness aboard Street Sense, and third with Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes.

Borel achieved his greatest success at Churchill Downs, and since his first meet there in 1995 he won four titles and ranks second only to Pat Day in wins at the track with 1,189.

According to Equibase, Borel ranks 27th all-time by number of wins with 5,146, and 32nd by earnings with $127,087,376. Through March 29, Borel had ridden seven winners from 79 mounts.

"Along with his three Kentucky Derby victories and his status as one of the most accomplished jockeys in Churchill Downs history, Calvin's 20 years at our track were as notable for his relationship with our fans as his excellence on the track," Churchill Downs Racetrack president Kevin Flanery said in a statement. "Calvin rose to racing's Hall of Fame from humble beginnings, and that was reflected in his ongoing relationship with our fans—and especially children. He loved the kids and felt a responsibility to provide a positive image to them and to let them know daily how much he appreciated them.

"There have been few, if any, individuals quite like Calvin Borel in 142 years of history at Churchill Downs. We thank him for a job well done and wish him the best in the future."