Napravnik's Career Celebrated at Churchill
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Churchill Downs and the city of Louisville celebrated the extraordinary career of jockey Rosie Napravnik Nov. 15 after she announced her retirement earlier this month.
Napravnik is the first female rider to capture the Kentucky Oaks in its 140-year history as well as the Breeders' Cup Distaff and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (all gr. I). She was honored following Saturday's sixth race, which was named in her honor as "The Run for the Rosie." Napravnik was given a special video presentation by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, who officially declared it "Rosie Napravnik Day" in the city of Louisville.
Napranik made history by winning the 2012 Kentucky Oaks on Brereton Jones' Believe You Can and landed this year's edition aboard Winchell Thoroughbreds' Untapable. Following her victory on Untapable in the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I), the 26-year-old New Jersey native publicly announced her pregnancy and retirement. Her career also includes a victory aboard Starlight Racing and Coolmore partners' Shanghai Bobby in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I).
"Thank you to Churchill Downs and thank you to everybody for being here to make this day so special," Napravnik said. "I feel so honored because Churchill has definitely been the site of some of the most memorable moments in my career. I rode my first Breeders' Cup mount here in 2010 (Forever Together in 2008 Filly & Mare Turf) and first Kentucky Derby in 2011 on Pants On Fire. My first Kentucky Oaks win on Believe You Can in was absolutely one of the most memorable moments of my career. Finishing fifth in the Derby on Mylute, I felt close enough to almost taste it. And Untapable will definitely go down as my favorite horse of all time."
Napravnik also received the honor of Kentucky Colonel and was presented with a plaque by the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. Finally, the rider was honored by an additional video presentation that highlighted the most memorable moments of her illustrious career at Churchill Downs.
"I want to thank the guys that are down here, most of the jockeys, for helping me become a better rider in a great colony," a teary-eyed Napravnik said. "Thanks to the owners and trainers that have supported me throughout: Jack Wolf being one of them, Mr. Ken Ramsey, Winchell Farm, Mr. Ron Winchell, and Brereton Jones are just a few to mention of some of my favorite horses here at Churchill and all over the country."
Napravnik said she plans to always remain close to the Thoroughbred industry and since her retirement has been assisting husband/trainer Joe Sharp at Churchill Downs.
"I don't feel like I'm leaving," Napravnik said. "I'll be around and I've been at the races a lot in the last two weeks; I'll just be in a different outfit. I'll always be close to this industry and the horses. Again I just want to thank the fans for all their support and everybody here at Churchill Downs, thank you."