By Steven A. Grieco

With tears in his eyes, longtime jockey Richard Migliore announced his retirement after a career ending injury.

“My career as a jockey is over, not by choice” said Migliore. “After this surgery I was assured by spinal-surgery specialist Dr. Andrew Hecht that I could never ride a thoroughbred again. I now start a new chapter in my life. It’s hard to let go, but I knew it had to end someday, but in my heart I wanted it to go on forever,” he added.
 
Migliore, who suffered a near-fatal neck injury at Belmont back in 1988, bounced back in the saddle six months later following spinal surgery. “My career could have ended then, yet I got 22 more years out it,” said Migliore
 
This time the jockey could not bounce back. The spill at Aqueduct on January 23 required surgery, adding two plates and eight screws to fuse five vertebrae. “If you have a level 2 fusion you have to retire. I have a level 4,” said Migliore.
 
“The surgery was tough. They carved me up pretty good this time,” said Migliore. “I was told three times that my career was over but I came back. I knew I was a longshot this time, but I was still holding out hope,” he added.
 
This time hope will not win out, as the winner of 4,450 races and $ 160 million in purses, was forced to put away his boots and helmet for good. “I am numb from the top of my shoulder to my [right] hand. It doesn’t hurt but I drop my fork every once in awhile,” laughed Migs. He added, “I will lose 20%-40% mobility in my neck, but even with that I just feel like I am a very lucky guy.”
 
The announcement of retiring brought visions and memories back to a very grateful Migliore. “I was very fortunate to start my career at Belmont Park, said the jockey. “When I was 12 years old and I saw Forego catch Honest Pleasure in the Marlboro Cup, I announced to everybody who would listen that day that I wanted to be a jockey, that I was going to do what those guys were doing – and I got to do it,” exclaimed Migliore.
 
For Migliore, his career began as a youngster. “Since I was 10 years old I’ve worked with horses. My first job at the track was given to me by trainer Steve DiMauro,” said Migs. “I dropped out of school in ninth grade and came to the University of Belmont,” Migliore said laughingly. The Brooklyn native added, “On one occasion I remember being so excited to be in the same stable that Secretariat lived in.”
 
Migliore, 46, also remembers events which touched him deeply. “The Pacific Classic was big. My whole family was there and we spent the summer at Del Mar,” said the jockey. He added, “To have everyone there was so meaningful.”
 
The Breeder’s Cup of 2008 also brings back fond memories. “I had missed a few chances previously due to injuries, so to finally get rewarded with that, was particularly gratifying,” said Migliore.
 
In 1997 at Hidden Lake, Migliore was aboard Go for Wand for his most memorable mounts and humbling experiences. “I can’t emphasize enough how empty she was and somehow found a way to win. To this day I can’t even tell you where she found it,” said Migs, adding, “She gave so much that she actually collapsed after the race.”
 
But upon reflection, Migliore thinks back to March 27th as maybe his most memorable. “My son Joseph drove me to Aqueduct and I won four races and in between every horse I rode, I had to lie on my bench and I was literally in that much pain,” said Migliore. “He [Joseph] waited all day and then drove me home. To have him take care of me like that and win four races just made it that much more special,” the jockey added. 
 
Despite all the victories and all the accolades, Migliore admits his true love of the sport is working with the horses. “As much as the big races are all memorable, quite honestly I enjoy more than anything getting up early to come work out with a good horse,” said Migs. “When I am out there I feel like I am 14 years old – that’s what I enjoy,” he added.
 
Migliore also offers advice. “Never feel bigger than the game,” said the jockey. “There is so much that goes into getting a horse to the races and certainly the winner’s circle. To think that what I do is more important than any one link of the chain was never an acceptable thought to me. It’s all starts with the breeders and works its way down to the jockey,” he added.
 
Early in his career, Migliore had always gotten great advice from some very special people. “[Jockey] Eddie Maple was a huge influence on me when I was just a youngster starting out,” said Migliore. He added, “Angel Cordero taught me how to have that competitive fire. He also taught me to be a much better rider.”
 
Being around such great jockeys instilled confidence in Migliore. “You can’t be afraid to fail. You have to go out there and try and if you fall on your face you fall on your face,” added Migliore. He went on to say, “But I always admired the people who picked themselves up and dusted themselves off and go on – and that’s what I plan on doing.”
 
In addition to the support in the locker room and on the track, Migliore was also supported greatly at home. “My wife Carmela, who is the most amazing woman, has been through more things with me than any man has a right to ask a woman to go through,” said Migs. He added, “Her support was always there without question. I never had to ask for it. Her strength was my strength. She pulled me through a lot of times when I didn’t think I could continue.”
 
What now lies ahead for Migliore is uncertain at the moment. “Right now I just want to try and concentrate on getting healthy. Being the best I can for my family, for the sport and for the horses,” said Migliore.
 
“I want to be as big an advocate as I can for retired horses, to give back to the horses that have given me so much,” Migliore stated. “I want to make sure every horse is treated with the dignity and respect which they deserve,” he added.
 
As for his other options down the road, Migliore feels his gift is in working closely with horses. “I believe I am a good horseman per say, but I have to learn to do it from the ground now,” said Migliore. He added, “This is what I know and I have to rely on what I know and have confidence in that. I love horses and love racing so I can’t be too far away from it.”
 
As this successful jockey’s career comes to a close, Migliore added some humbling remarks. “The mere fact that I actually did so many things just because I could ride a horse is unbelievable. I got to travel all over the world and see things I would have never seen all because I could ride a horse,” said Migliore. Pausing, he added, “The biggest thing I feel is gratitude that I got to live out my dream.”
 
“I am very proud that I always rode with the best, for the best and on the best,” said Migliore.
 
I am sure that feeling is mutual.