Jockey Slade Callaghan, who has recorded nearly 850 career wins, including 31 wins, has been named the 2022 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award recipient.
The coveted Gomez award is presented to someone who was born in Canada, raised or has been a regular racer in the country for more than 5 years, who has made significant contributions to the sport.
It is named in memory of one of the sport’s most successful and respected performers. Cuba-born Gomez died of complications after an accident with three horses in Canada Oaks in 1980.
In tribute to his contributions to the sport, a life-size statue of Gomez, who called Toronto home and raised a family there, keeps watch over Woodbine’s walk. One copy is given to the honoree each year.
Callaghan said: “I was really humbled when I received the news that I was the recipient of this year’s award. “I’ve been here at Woodbine for 28 years and every year I’m here I see so many great drivers, who have had incredible careers, receive this award. It’s for me to be added to the list. this book is overwhelming. satisfied. I don’t know where the time has passed. It’s been about 10 years since I’ve been called semi-retired, riding a few horses, but certainly not full-time. I love this racetrack and I love the people. I’m so glad I decided to ride here.”
Callaghan, 51, has enjoyed a lot of success in her equestrian career which began at the age of 16.
A natural-born athlete excelling at tennis and squash, Callaghan began his life in the saddle in his hometown of Barbados, winning his first race in 1986, but with a concussion. A serious shoulder injury, the result of a racing accident, kept him sidelined for almost a year. .
That failure did not diminish Callaghan’s passion for horse racing or his determination to return. Ten months after the accident, he was again in the winner’s circle.
In 1994, he decided to come to Canada in hopes of becoming a regular at Woodbine, where his brother, Brett, also played.
Slade’s first win in Canada was at Fort Erie that same year. In 1999, Callaghan won 60 races, including six bets. A broken vertebra kept him out of competition for just a month, and he returned to win the New Providence Stakes in 2000 when he teamed up with Matter of Courage.
After a 48-win campaign in 2000, Callaghan had 43 wins in 2001 and 54 in 2002. A year later, he topped $2 million in earnings, the fifth year in a row he’s topped $2 million in earnings. get that number. In 2004, he had the best 64 wins of his career.
Highlights include winning the Breeder’s Share in 2002, the third jewel in the Triple Canadian Crown, aboard the Portcullis; 2006 Incitatus Cup aboard the Archeress on Barbados Day at Woodbine; and Woodbine Mile 2008 (G1) and 2008 Connaught Cup (G3), both with Rahy’s Attorney. Another special victory came in 2004 when he returned to horseback riding in his homeland and won the country’s most prestigious race, the Barbados Gold Cup.
“I’ve never been a top three, a top five, but I’ve always been a tough, hard-working racer,” he said. “Being recognized with this award is truly one of the best things I’ve experienced in my career. It’s been really cool and I’m so grateful for it. But for me, looking back on it. his career, everything comes back to horse and man. That’s all involved. Groom, hot walker, servant, gatekeeper, exerciser, trainer. Coach, owner, my fellow riders and all the people who work so hard to make the race go, I really appreciate everyone and what they do. I’m also incredibly lucky to have one. agent, Daren Gomez, throughout his career. I can’t think of any other driver and agent in recent times who have had such a long time. a relationship at Woodbine.”
Callaghan, who still picks up quirky mounts at the Toronto oval, maintains his connection to horses and horse racing by working in the barn of his wife, trainer Kelly Callaghan.
As for what the future holds, the driver is not entirely certain. One thing is for sure, it will involve Purebreds.
“The horses keep me coming back every day. It’s the love of horses. Since I was a kid, I’ve had horses in my life. It will stay that way even when I leave Woodbine. Buy and sell horses, that’s what I’m aiming for on the road. I especially love the ponies. I’ve always enjoyed working with them and they will be an important part of my life in the next chapter.”
This year’s Avelino Gomez Memorial Awards will take place on July 24 in Woodbine, on Woodbine Oaks Day.
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