Retired champion jockey McHargue named chief California steward

ARCADIA, Calif. – Darrel McHargue, a retired champion jockey and longtime steward at California tracks, was named chief steward for the state Thursday at the monthly meeting of the California Horse Racing Board.

McHargue, 61, will start in the newly created position Dec. 26. McHargue currently is a steward at Golden Gate Fields in Northern California and will remain in that position until the conclusion of that meeting Dec. 20.

In his new position, McHargue will not serve as a steward on a regular basis and will work with the state’s 16 track and safety stewards on issues such as inquiries and disqualifications, official hearings, and public relations issues.

In an interview after the announcement, McHargue said he had been in talks with racing board officials about the position since the summer.

“The thinking was that it would be beneficial to have someone in this position,” he said.

During Thursday’s meeting, racing board Executive Director Rick Baedeker said McHargue will work as a daily supervisor with track stewards.

“I believe Darrel McHargue’s position as chief steward in California will make racing better,” he said.

In accepting the position, McHargue acknowledged to the racing board that he may be subject to public scrutiny.

“I’ve put myself in the crosshairs here, and I’m willing to take that on,” he said.

McHargue rode form 1972 to 1988 and won the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding jockey in 1978, when he led riders in earnings with a then-record $6.18 million. He briefly was the regular rider of the 1980s star gelding John Henry and rode briefly in Europe in the early 1980s.