Javier Castellano reached the 6,000-win milestone and continues to make history

The Venezuelan jockey reached another extraordinary milestone at Saratoga, guiding Starship Lizzy to victory. A Hall of Fame member, winner of 4 Eclipse Awards, 12 Breeders’ Cup races, and holder of the record 7 triumphs in the Travers, he will look to expand his legend this Saturday aboard The Puma

By Diego H. Mitagstein

Javier Castellano continues to write gold-lettered pages in an extraordinary career. At 48, the Venezuelan jockey reached 6,000 wins in the United States on Wednesday, and he could not have chosen a more fitting stage for such a milestone: Saratoga.

The hallmark victory came in the eighth and final race of the card, aboard Starship Lizzy (Central Banker), trained by Michelle Nevin, in a 1,400-meter maiden claiming event for New York-bred fillies and mares.

Castellano saved ground in third along the rail, found room in the stretch, and drove clear to win by half a length in 1m26s08/100. Of course, before he could officially celebrate, he had to survive a stewards' inquiry due to minor contact with All Bright (Vino Rosso) in the lane. The inquiry resulted in no change to the order of finish.

“6,000 wins and I still have to suffer waiting for the result! Nothing is easy in this game,” Castellano joked.

“Thank God I was blessed. He gave me the ability to be a jockey and to compete at the highest level alongside the best in the world. Doing it specifically at Saratoga, the biggest stage, is incredible. At my age, to keep competing with this generation, winning races, and having the support of the people is something I am deeply grateful for,” he added.

The achievement drew praise from major figures across the sport. Ramón Domínguez, a rival since their early days in Venezuela and now a neighbor in Saratoga Springs, highlighted his professionalism while recalling an unforgettable day in 2004 when both secured their first Breeders’ Cup victories: Domínguez with Better Talk Now (Talkin Man) in the Turf, and Castellano aboard Ghostzapper (Ghostzapper) in the Classic.

John Velazquez praised his character and craftsmanship, while Mark Casse offered high praise: “He is an extraordinary jockey, one of the best of all time. You don't win 6,000 races easily, especially competing at the level he has.”

Born in Maracaibo, Castellano began riding in Venezuela in 1996 before relocating to the United States the following year. His first North American win came on July 31, 1997, riding Phone Man (Phone Trick) at Calder. Since then, he built a career that earned him induction into the Hall of Fame in 2017 and 4 consecutive Eclipse Awards between 2013 and 2016.

He has won 12 Breeders’ Cup races, the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) with Mage (Good Magic), two Belmont Stakes(G1), two Preakness Stakes (G1), and holds a record all his own: his 7 victories in the Travers Stakes (G1) are more than any other jockey in history.

Among those Travers triumphs, the 2015 upset aboard Keen Ice (Curlin) against Triple Crown champion American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) remains unforgettable. His most recent win in the race came in 2023 with Arcangelo.

Castellano readily acknowledges that behind those 6,000 wins were thousands of defeats, setbacks, and moments where he considered stepping away.

“It's a very tough game mentally. To win 6,000, you have to ride tens of thousands of races. Imagine how many losses you have to process. There were times I thought about quitting, but I stayed strong, disciplined, dedicated, and worked hard. And it was all worth it.”

The timing of the milestone could not be better. Just days after celebrating number 6,000, Castellano will have another chance to extend his legacy in his favorite race.

On Saturday, he returns to the Travers, this time riding The Puma (Essential Quality).

And he offered a warning with a smile: “I've won seven Travers in my career, but I'm not finished yet.”

Javier Castellano, pure history in world horse racing.