Callaghan to receive Avelino Gomez Memorial Award

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Jockey Slade Callaghan, who has recorded nearly 850 career wins, including 31 stakes, has been named the 2022 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award.

The coveted award is given to a jockey who is Canadian-born, Canadian-raised, or a regular rider in the country for more than five years who has made significant contributions to the sport. The colorful Gomez, one of the most successful jockeys in Canadian racing history, died of complications from a three-horse accident in the 1980 Canadian Oaks.

To commemorate his contributions to the sport, there is a life-size statue of Gomez overlooking Woodbine’s walking ring. A replica is presented to each year’s honoree.

“I was really humbled,” said Callaghan, upon receiving the news he was this year’s recipient. “I’ve been here at Woodbine 28 years, and every year I’ve been here I’ve seen so many great riders who have had amazing careers receive this award. For me to be added to this list is overwhelming. It’s also gratifying. I don’t know where the time has gone. It’s been about 10 years since I was what I’d call semi-retired, riding a few horses, but definitely not full time. I love this racetrack and I love the people. I’m glad I made the decision to ride here.”

Callaghan, 51, has enjoyed great success over a riding career that began when he was just 16. He launched his career in his native Barbados, winning his first race in 1986, but a serious shoulder injury, the result of racing accident, sent him to the sidelines for nearly a year. Ten months after the accident, he was in the winner’s circle again.

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In 1994, he made decision to come to Canada with the hope of becoming a regular at Woodbine, a place where his brother, Brett, also had competed.

His first Canadian victory came at Fort Erie in 1994. In 1999, Callaghan won 60 races, including six stakes. A fractured vertebra kept him out of action for only a month, and he returned to win the New Providence Stakes in 2000 aboard Matter of Courage.

After a 48-win campaign in 2000, Callaghan posted 43 victories in 2001 and 54 in 2002. One year later, he topped the $2 million plateau in earnings, marking the fifth straight year he reached that number. In 2004, he posted a career-best 64 wins.

His Woodbine highlights included winning the 2002 Breeders' Stakes, third leg in the Canadian Triple Crown, aboard Portcullis; the 2006 Incitatus Cup on Archeress on Barbados Day at Woodbine; and the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile on Rahy’s Attorney in 2008. Another special triumph came in 2004 when he returned to his homeland and won the prestigious Barbados Gold Cup.

Callaghan, who still picks up the odd mount at Woodbine, maintains his connection to the horses and horse racing by working in the barn of his wife, trainer Kelly Callaghan.

This year’s Avelino Gomez Memorial Award ceremony will take place Sunday on Woodbine Oaks Day.

Callaghan joins Ron Turcotte, Johnny Longden, Sandy Hawley, Don MacBeth, Chris Rogers, Jeff Fell, Lloyd Duffy, Hugo Dittfach, Robin Platts, Larry Attard, Don Seymour, David Gall, Richard Grubb, Irwin Driedger, David Clark, Jim McKnight, Chris Loseth, Richard Dos Ramos, Robert Landry, Francine Villeneuve, Sam Krasner, John LeBlanc Sr., George Ho Sang, Jack Lauzon, Robert King Jr., Stewart Elliott, Emile Ramsammy, Steve Bahen, Mickey Walls, Patrick Husbands, Quincy Welch, Gary Stahlbaum, Gary Boulanger, Emma-Jayne Wilson, Frank Barroby and Eurico Rosa da Silva as Gomez recipients.