Trainer Jackson retires after 33 years

California owner and breeder Ellen Jackson retired from training this week and is downsizing her breeding operation in Northern California.

Jackson, 68, said on Wednesday that she has turned over her 16-horse racing stable to longtime assistant Alberto Ruvalcaba, who will have his first two runners at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif., on Saturday.

“He’s been my assistant trainer for so many years,” Jackson said. “I handed everything over to him.”

Ruvalcaba, 58, said on Thursday that he began working for Jackson in 1991 as an exercise rider and later as an assistant.

Jackson cited health reasons as the primary reason for the change. She has been suffering from the effects of West Nile virus, primarily fatigue, she said.

“I retired,” she said. “I gave up my license.

“I need to get rid of the stress in my life. I’ve had poor health. Once a month, I’ll have an episode when I can’t get up.”

As a trainer, Jackson won 377 races, beginning in 1990. She had 10 wins this year. In 2022, she won a career-best 24 races.

Jackson owns Victory Rose Thoroughbreds, a 63-acre farm in Vacaville, Calif. The farm has boarded horses for outside clients, but Jackson said the last of those horses will leave the property in coming days.

Jackson said the stallion Bold Chieftain will be pensioned at Victory Rose, while Idiot Proof and Many Rivers will continue to stand at the farm. Gig Harbor will be moved to a nearby farm.

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