Corridor of Fame jockey comfortable to be again at Hastings

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My favorite line from the Eagles’ music Lodge California is, “You possibly can take a look at any time you want, however you’ll be able to by no means go away.”

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That appears to be the case for former jockey Richard Hamel in terms of horse racing. Hamel, who retired from driving in 2021, discovered that different work was not as rewarding as being on the monitor, and he’s now a part of the clocking crew at Hastings. He plies his new commerce from the press field, which is on prime of the Hastings grandstand and has a spectacular view of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore mountains.

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“I used to be a part of the upkeep crew at a golf course, however since I used to be the brand new man, I used to be on the backside of the pile and bought all of the crappy jobs,” mentioned Hamel. “I like being a clocker. It’s arduous to discover a higher place to work from, and I’m comfortable to nonetheless be a part of racing.”

Starting in 2010, Hamel was a five-time main jockey at Hastings, and led all riders in stakes wins from 2014 to 2019. Hamel additionally led the standings in stakes wins in 2010. He would nonetheless be driving in the present day apart from battling weight and the fixed ache in his knees from a driving profession that began in 1988.

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“I liked driving, however it simply bought to be an excessive amount of,” mentioned Hamel. “Now I can eat no matter I need, each time I need, and I’m ache free.”

Inducted into the B.C. Horse Racing Corridor of Fame in March, Hamel credit his aunt Margaret for pointing him in the appropriate route.

“I used to be a bit uncontrolled, and once I was 15 my mother informed me I both needed to go stay along with her sister, or she was going to ship me to juvee.”

The one that retains him in line now’s coach Charlene Miller, his common-law spouse. After Hamel is finished together with his clocking duties, he helps out at her barn within the Hastings backstretch.

“Contemplating the whole lot she has accomplished for me, it’s the least I can do,” mentioned Hamel.

Hamel additionally works part-time as a valet within the jocks room, the place between races he’s comfortable to tutor a number of the youthful riders.

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“I believe we’ve an excellent group of jockeys this 12 months, and the brand new guys are prepared to be taught,” he mentioned.

Hamel mentioned he preferred the way in which Arollercoasterride labored 5 furlongs final weekend. Contemplating he’s one of the best horse within the discipline, he ought to be robust to beat within the fifth race Saturday. The Kentucky-bred son of Curlin is skilled by Barbara Heads. Her brother Robbie Anderson has an excellent shot of successful the sixth race with Aristocracy. He received the one time he ran in a dash and could possibly be robust to beat as he ships in racing match from Oaklawn.

Mage overcame so much to win the Kentucky Derby and figures to be a handful proper again within the Preakness. Nationwide Treasure and First Mission appear like those with one of the best probabilities of spoiling his likelihood of successful the second leg of the Triple Crown.

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Randy Goulding has been handicapping horses and writing for The Racing Kind at Hastings Racecourse for greater than 30 years. His column will run weekly all through the racing season.

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