Hosang to receive Gomez Award

George Hosang, who was a prominent rider in Ontario from 1976 through 1986, has been named this year's recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award, the Woodbine Entertainment Group announced Tuesday.

The Gomez Memorial Award is given to a jockey who was born or raised in Canada or competed in the country for more than five years and made significant contributions to horse racing.

The annual award is presented on Woodbine Oaks Day in memory of jockey Avelino Gomez, who died following a spill in the 1980 Oaks. This year's Woodbine Oaks will be run on June 10.

Hosang, 53, was born in Jamaica and was the dominant rider at Caymanas Park there before emigrating to Canada in 1976.

Hosang was Ontario's leading rider in 1979 with 159 wins and in 1981 with 151. He also finished second in Ontario in 1977 with 195 victories and in 1978 with 135 wins.

His 11 stakes wins included the 1979 Prince of Wales at Fort Erie with Mass Rally and the 1981 Breeders' with Social Wizard.

Hosang returned to Jamaica in 1986 but resumed his North American career in Florida in 1992. He retired following an accident in 1998 and lives in the Miami area.