Castellano hires Rushing as agent
Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano has retained Steve Rushing to be his new agent starting next week, the rider confirmed Friday morning.
Castellano, a four-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey, has been represented the last two years by John Panagot.
Rushing also is the agent for Irad Ortiz Jr., the reigning three-time Eclipse Award-winning rider who leads the nation in wins and purse money won in 2021.
“Everything in life is opportunity,” Castellano, 43, said Friday. “I make a change because it’s a competitive game. It’s a tough colony in New York. They’re all really good and I need to be more competitive. Steve Rushing has got the business, he’s got the momentum. Maybe I can share a little [of Irad’s] business.”
Castellano, who won the Eclipse Award from 2013-16, has won 30 races from 182 mounts in 2021. He has won seven stakes, only two graded.
Castellano said he was somewhat inspired to retain Rushing having seen the success that John Velazquez has had since he switched agents to Ron Anderson, who also represents Joel Rosario. Velazquez made that made move in February 2020.
“He took him, and [Velazquez] has won two Derbies and a lot of Grade 1s,” Castellano said. “Let’s be realistic, Irad is the leading jockey in the nation, he won the Eclipse Award the last three years, he’s got the momentum, he’s got the business. I’ve been there.”
From 2012-19, Castellano surpassed $20 million in purse earnings. He has won 5,357 career races. On Saturday, he was looking to win his third Preakness with Crowded Trade.
Rushing said he spoke with Ortiz, who had no issue with him also representing Castellano. Rushing has been representing Ortiz since September 2013.
“Obviously two outstanding riders, between the two of them they’ve won seven of the last eight Eclipse Awards. It’s like having an all-star roster,” Rushing said. “Part of what’s attractive about Javier is he has very good business. Between his business and Irad’s business, this should out work well for both of them.”