The roar of the Gulfstream Park crowd greeted Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano as he strolled through the paddock, a soft grin breaking across his face. A quick kiss on his youngest son Brady’s forehead, a nod to his wife Abby, and the seasoned rider was ready to chase another milestone. With less than 100 wins shy of 6,000 career victories, Castellano’s drive hasn’t dimmed despite nearly 30 years in the saddle.
“I still have that fire,” Castellano said, his eyes lighting up. “Seeing my kids excited, seeing them watch and cheer—it motivates me even more.”
Castellano, a five-time leading rider at Gulfstream’s Championship Meet, arrives this winter with his brother-in-law Kevin Meyocks now serving as his agent. The partnership has already borne fruit, with Castellano scoring graded stakes wins earlier this month on Tiz Dashing and She’s Country. “Kevin knows the circuit, he knows people, and it’s fun working together,” Castellano added.
Opening day on Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, will feature Castellano aboard five horses across eight races, including debut winner Amberglen in the $100,000 Wait a While for 2-year-old fillies over 7½ furlongs on turf. Fans can expect an electric showdown as Castellano squares off against the country’s top riders, including Irad Ortiz Jr., who last season surpassed Castellano’s overall career wins record.
Throughout his decorated career, Castellano has captured four consecutive Eclipse Awards, won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes, and accumulated more than $413 million in career earnings. He speaks candidly about the thrill of competing with the best. “Every stage of life brings its challenges. I’ve been fortunate to ride the great horses and compete at the highest level. I’m still hungry,” he said.
With stakes races for 3-year-olds lined up from January, including the Mucho Macho Man, Holy Bull, and Fountain of Youth, Castellano is focused on discovering the next generation of stars. His recent success aboard Mage and Arcangelo, including wins in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, underscores his enduring skill and intuition.
As Castellano prepares for the Championship Meet 2025, one thing is clear: this veteran jockey’s passion for racing remains undiminished, his ambition as fierce as ever.
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