All best wishes Gary. I became a Gary Stevens groupie after a video before some race years ago. Gary had gone to visit Point Given at Three Chimneys. Gary was loving on him outside and then said (can't remember the exact words), "I'm sorry, I was my fault you lost the Kentucky Derby" and Gary was choked up and crying.
I've known it's been coming for a while, but man I'm really going to miss Gary when he retires. He and Mike Smith are some of my favorite jockeys and they're both nearing retirement now. I'm glad it sounds like he's planning to stay in the sport though, even if it's not as a jockey.
I don't think so. He has had other replacement surgeries; maybe both knees.
Here is the info- plus photo post-surgery above Keta
Alicia Wincze Hughes @BH_AHughes tweets Tues. Dec. 13 2016 HOF jockey Gary Stevens to undergo hip replacement surgery next week, per @angieastevens1. No decision made on if he will return to saddle.
Added Stevens "I'm hopeful that I can return to the saddle but...if don't feel like Gary Stevens on a horse, then I'm going to stay off."
I think he is a wonderful inspiration to us old-timers. Of course he is not as old as we are, but the fact that he could get back on a horse and ride him race-jockey style is very impressive and inspiring. It was only 2 months after the surgery! Very encouraging for old folks who are terrified of falling and breaking a hip and needing this surgery. It is often a death sentence for older folks, and seen as such by many of them.
Gary Stevens is back Santa Anita Park @santaanitapark Thursday, March 09, 2017 We're ecstatic to have hall of fame jockey, Gary Stevens, back riding at #TheGreatRacePlace!
Comments
Thought this was a fun video, 2009 from Larry Zap. "Zenyatta wins for fun."
Surgery was on Dec. 21st.
Must be a fast healer.
Keta
Alicia Wincze Hughes @BH_AHughes tweets Tues. Dec. 13 2016
HOF jockey Gary Stevens to undergo hip replacement surgery next week,
per @angieastevens1. No decision made on if he will return to saddle.
Added Stevens "I'm hopeful that I can return to the saddle but...if don't feel like Gary Stevens on a horse, then I'm going to stay off."
Keta
Santa Anita Park @santaanitapark Thursday, March 09, 2017
We're ecstatic to have hall of fame jockey, Gary Stevens,
back riding at #TheGreatRacePlace!