Jerry Bailey to Retire Jan. 28; Will Join ABC/ESPN

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From The Bloodhorse:
Jerry Bailey, 48, North America's dominant jockey for more than a decade beginning in the early 1990s, announced his retirement from riding, effective Jan 28 after the Sunshine Millions card at Gulfstream Park. He will join ABC Sports and ESPN as a racing analyst beginning in March with the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).

"There are a couple of reasons for retiring," Bailey said Jan. 18. "First, I feel it's time. I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family. Also, I want to walk away in one piece.

"I want to thank all my valets and agents; the backstretch workers who make riding possible; owners and trainers too numerous to mention; the horses, both the grade I winners and the others that tried their hardest; and the media and fans."

Following closely on the heels of the retirements of Gary Stevens and Pat Day, and a couple of years after Eddie Delahoussaye, Chris McCarron, and Laffit Pincay Jr. ended their careers, Bailey's exit from racing signals a complete changing of the guard of elite jockeys at Thoroughbred tracks. He follows Stevens (TVG) into the racing analyst business.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=31781