FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Adolphson
(847) 385-7558
Barn Notes: Thursday, April 24, 2014
In Today’s Notes:
- Sheldon Russell Ready for Chicagoland
SHELDON RUSSELL READY FOR CHICAGOLAND
Watch a few races at Arlington International Racecourse and it becomes quite obvious that two of the most pertinent keys to a jockey’s success are patience and tenacity. With a current colony that boasts some of the best to wrangle the reins in the country, the Chicagoland oval adds Sheldon Russell to its roster – a rider who has not only exhibited both of those qualities in his previous forays, but has earned multiple meet titles in the process.
Over the last six-plus years, Russell has been a mainstay in the Mid-Atlantic’s jockey standings, consistently vying for annual titles at Pimlico Race Course, Laurel Park and Colonial Downs. In the process, the Middlesex, England-raised and Louisiana-born 26-year-old has bagged titles at Colonial (2010 and 2011), Pimlico (2011) and the overall Maryland title (Pimlico, Laurel and Timonium) in 2011. In such, from gritty closing rides his many on multiple stakes-winning sprinter Ah Day to the finesse shown when guiding Rahystrada (a name not foreign to Arlington racing fans) in the Grade III Colonial Turf Cup, Russell has displayed an ability to adapt and excel – and now he is excited to take his show on road.
“Back in Maryland, I used to go to Colonial Downs in the Summer, but this year they’re having trouble making dates. So, I wanted to do something new and had the choices of Monmouth, Delaware Park and Arlington,” explained the eloquent Russell. “I rode the (Arlington) Million a few years ago on Rahystrada and remember really liking it. Then, I had met (jockey agent) Doug (Bredar) over the winter and he reached out and told me that if I was ever ready to come this way, to give him a call – and I did.”
Some of the best jockeys, much like the racehorses beneath them, often come from quality breeding and training – and such is the case with Russell. “When I was 16, I moved to my dad’s (a former jockey) in Newmarket, England. At that time, my father was an assistant to Sir Michael Stoute,” Russell explained. Stoute, of course, is same Stoute who trained Dank to demolish the 2013 Beverly D. After deciding to follow in his father’s boot steps, he decided to venture Stateside in 2007 at the age of 19.
“I had 65 rides back in England before riding here,” he said. “I was only meant to come here for three months of vacation. I came over to work on (trainer Michael) Dickinson’s farm. While I was there, he was pumping it into my head that if I were to come over here full-time, I would get a lot more opportunities and he would help get me started.”
Riding for Dickinson – the famed two-time Breeders’ Cup-winning “mad genius” of training – not only exposed Russell to the best of conditioning, but allowed him to experience the idiosyncrasies of American racing for the first time. “Growing up in England all I remember watching is turf racing. Over here (in the States), was my first time riding on dirt. Now, obviously with the Polytrack as well as the turf (at Arlington), I will most likely be returning to my old ways of riding. I’m excited for that change-up,” he elaborated. “All we train on in England is the Polytrack and we work the horses on the turf course.”
Dickinson’s influence was not only paramount in the young Russell’s skill development, but also created some unique opportunities. “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here,” he explained. “He also sent me down to Palm Meadows with three 2-year-olds and the groom. I ended up staying backside at Palm Meadows and freelancing for Carl Nafzger and Ian Wilkes. Just by luck, Street Sense’s (workout) rider had to go overseas. They gave me the chance and I ended up galloping him for two weeks and got to work him one time before the Tampa Bay Derby.”
Such confidence in Russell – entrusting him with a juvenile champion preparing for the first sophomore start en route to the Kentucky Derby – is not only impressive, but also proved successful, as the Jim Tafel-owned colt won both races. And, in that same breath, credence in his abilities from multiple barns seems to be an ongoing trend. On Saturday, April 19, at Pimlico, he had eight rides for eight different trainers – including multiple stakes mounts.
“I don’t have a single ‘whole’ barn I ride for in Maryland. It’s nice to have a lot of different trainers wanting to ride me on their horses – especially on big stakes days like last Saturday,” he explained. “When I first started riding I was fortunate enough to be given a lot of great opportunities from some great trainers like King Leatherbury on horses like Ah Day – who was his best horse at the time. (Leatherbury) is one of those trainers who has given some great riders – like Kent Desormeaux – their first stakes win.” Leatherbury is not only a legend in Maryland racing, but also is fourth all-time nationally in wins with 6,425.
As far as the new Midwestern frontier for the globetrotting Russell, he – in what seems to be his norm – simply wants to work hard and keep it realistic. “I would like to get some exposure and ride for new trainers. I’m also excited to ride on (Arlington’s) great turf course and win some races on the Polytrack – and if I finish in the top-5, that’s great for me.” Considering his feats thus far, it would not be a surprise for the tough and levelheaded Russell to outride his expectations.
-END-
David Zenner│Senior Manager of Communications
Arlington International Racecourse
2200 W. Euclid Ave. Arlington Heights IL 60006-0007
P 847.385.7535│C: 847.371.1670 | F: 847.870.6727│E: David.Zenner@arlingtonpark.com
Twitter: @dave_zenner, @arlingtonracing
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