Hall of Fame jockey Boulanger, who won Queen's Plate aboard Dancethruthedawn, retires

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Hall of Fame jockey Gary Boulanger, whose numerous career highlights include a Queen’s Plate victory on Dancethruthedawn, has announced his retirement.

“It’s the right time,” Boulanger said. “I don’t feel I have anything left to prove. I am so grateful to all the trainers, owners and my fellow riders for their support. Just like anyone who rides horses, there are many ups and downs, but you always find a way to persevere.”

Boulanger retires with 3,698 career victories, including 239 stakes, for earnings of over $83 milllion.

A 2020 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee, the 55-year-old native of Alberta enjoyed great success over a career that included devastating injuries. He overcame back problems, which required extensive surgery in the late 1990s, and came back from an eight-year absence precipitated by a spill at Gulfstream, which led to life-threatening injuries, in 2005.

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His two biggest highlights came at Woodbine. When moving his tack to Toronto in June of 2000, Boulanger partnered Dancethruthedawn, the outstanding Sam-Son Farm homebred filly, to victory in the 2001 Plate and Woodbine Oaks. In 2017, Boulanger received the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award.

The Gomez award is given to the person, Canadian-born, Canadian-raised or regular rider in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to the sport.

“It’s one of the greatest moments in my career,” Boulanger said. “To be recognized by your peers and to be part of a very select group is something I will always treasure.”

After an unforgettable career in racing, Boulanger is now taking time to ponder the next chapter in his life, which is likely to include horse racing.

“I’m not quite sure what is next, but I love the horses, the horse people and the sport,” said Boulanger, who has a 3-year-old son Cristian with his wife, Jennifer Petricca. “I would like to stay connected to racing, so we’ll see what happens. For now, I want to spend time with my family and reflect on how lucky I was to be a jockey. To everyone who supported me…I can’t thank you enough.”

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