Chris McCarron FAQs
- Do you plan to train or own racehorses?
- Do you still ride?
- How many winners did you ride?
- How often did you get hurt?
- In how many races did you compete?
- What was your worst injury/wreck?
- What were your career earnings?
- Who was your favorite horse to ride?
- Why did you decide to become a jockey?
- Why did you decide to retire?
Do you plan to train or own racehorses?
No, I do not.
Do you still ride?
I ride for pleasure occasionally but the last time I rode in a race was in November 2004. I competed in a retired jockeys all-star event in Melbourne, Australia.
How many winners did you ride?
7,141
How often did you get hurt?
Over the 28 years that I rode, it probably averages out to once per year. More specifically, I have broken both legs, my right arm, right shoulder blade, right hand, several ribs, my back, and my right heel, and I have had lots of muscle strains and sprains.
In how many races did you compete?
I rode in over 34,000 races, in 22 different states, and seven different countries.
What was your worst injury/wreck?
As a result of a spill at Hollywood Park in June of 1990, I broke both legs and my right arm. However, I returned to riding races only 87 days later.
What were your career earnings?
My mounts earned more than $260 million.
Who was your favorite horse to ride?
It' s a dead-heat between Kentucky Derby winner Alysheba and three-time Horse of the Year John Henry.
Why did you decide to become a jockey?
I followed my older brother Gregg into the sport of horseracing because it looked like an exciting career to me. While I was in high school, I closely watched Gregg's accomplishments and decided to give it a try.
Why did you decide to retire?
I accomplished a great deal as a jockey, felt satisfied with my achievements and wanted to pursue other interests in the sport of horseracing; most notably, teaching young people to become jockeys.
