Randy Romero facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Randy Romero |
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| Occupation | Jockey |
| Born | December 22, 1957 Erath, Louisiana, United States |
| Died | August 29, 2019 (aged 61) |
| Career wins | 4,285 |
| Major racing wins | |
| Haskell Invitational Stakes (1982) Clark Handicap (1982) Essex Handicap (1982) Isaac Murphy Handicap (1982) Jefferson Cup Stakes (1982) Ladies Handicap (1984, 1986) Arlington Classic (1986) Champagne Stakes (1986) Coaching Club American Oaks (1986) Cowdin Stakes (1986) Frizette Stakes (1986) Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (1986) Jockey Club Gold Cup (1986) Carter Handicap (1987) Garden City Handicap (1987) Hopeful Stakes (1987) Jamaica Handicap (1987) Queens County Handicap (1987) Spinster Stakes (1987) Woodward Stakes (1987) Astoria Stakes (1988) Beldame Stakes (1988, 1990) Bernard Baruch Handicap (1988) Fall Highweight Handicap (1988, 1989) Florida Derby (1988) Gazelle Handicap (1988) Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (1988) Violet Handicap (1988) Vosburgh Stakes (1988, 1989) Whitney Handicap (1988) Blue Grass Stakes (1989 & 1995) Commonwealth Stakes (1989) Alabama Stakes (1990) Arlington Oaks (1990) Mother Goose Stakes (1990) Secretariat Stakes (1990) Test Stakes (1990) Brooklyn Handicap (1992) Adirondack Stakes (1993) Arlington Handicap (1995) Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes (1996) Breeders' Cup wins: |
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| Honors | |
| Fair Grounds Racing Hall of Fame (1992) Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (2005) National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (2010) |
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| Significant horses | |
| Go For Wand, Polish Navy, Personal Ensign Sacahuista, Yankee Affair, Wavering Monarch |
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Randy Paul Romero (December 22, 1957 – August 29, 2019) was a very famous jockey in horse racing. He was so good that he was put into the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame.
A movie called Casey's Shadow was made in 1978. It was based on Randy's family. Randy was officially chosen for the Hall of Fame on May 27, 2010.
Contents
Randy Romero's Amazing Career as a Jockey
Starting Out in Horse Racing
Randy Romero began his professional career as a jockey in 1975. He started riding at Evangeline Downs in Lafayette, Louisiana. People often called him the "Ragin' Cajun" because of his Louisiana roots.
Overcoming a Serious Injury
In 1983, Randy faced a very serious challenge at Oaklawn Park racetrack. He had a bad accident that caused severe burns to much of his body. This injury almost ended his career.
After seven months of hard work and recovery, Randy returned to racing. He competed at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. There, he won his third of four riding titles. He also set a new track record with 181 wins.
Riding Champion Horses
Randy's success led to him becoming the main rider for a special horse named Personal Ensign. This horse was owned by Ogden Phipps and trained by Shug McGaughey. Randy rode Personal Ensign to an amazing undefeated career. This included a big win in the 1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff race.
Randy had won the Breeders' Cup Distaff the year before, in 1987, with a horse named Sacahuista. The next year, in 1989, he won his third straight Breeders' Cup race. This time, he won the Juvenile Fillies event with a horse named Go for Wand.
Challenges and Retirement
In the 1990 Breeders' Cup Distaff, Randy was riding Go for Wand and was in the lead. Sadly, Go for Wand got hurt during the race and had to be put down. Randy also got hurt, breaking his pelvis and several ribs.
Throughout his career, Randy had many racing-related injuries. He needed more than twenty surgeries. He retired in July 1999. By then, he had ridden 4,285 winners. He won many important races, including several Grade I events.
Randy Romero's Health Journey
Long-Term Health Issues
In 2002, Randy learned about more health problems. The way he had to control his weight to be a jockey had damaged his kidneys. He shared that he had started throwing up food from a young age. This was a common practice among jockeys to stay light.
Randy's liver was also damaged. This happened because of a bad blood transfusion he received during one of his many operations.
Documentary Film and Later Years
Randy, along with another jockey named Shane Sellers, was featured in a 2004 HBO documentary film. The film was called Jockey and was directed by Kate Davis. It told the story of their health problems from racing injuries. It also showed the long-term effects of eating disorders on jockeys.
For many years, Randy suffered from hepatitis C. On February 18, 2008, he had a kidney removed in a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. His other kidney did not work well, so he needed dialysis treatments several times each week.
In 2015, Randy was diagnosed with cancer. On June 19, 2019, he entered hospice care in Lafayette. Randy Romero passed away on August 29, 2019, due to stomach cancer.
Randy Romero's Legacy
Randy Romero was a true legend in horse racing. In 2010, he was voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. This honor recognized his incredible talent and contributions to the sport.
