GOVERNOR RISCH RECOGNIZES
HALL OF FAME JOCKEY

BOISE – Idaho Governor James E. Risch today honored Idaho native and three-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Gary Stevens with a proclamation for “Gary Stevens Week” in Idaho. Stevens, his wife Angie and his mother Barbara joined Governor Risch and leaders from Capitol Racing at Les Bois Park to make the announcement in the Governor’s Office.

“It is always exciting when someone from Idaho is recognized for being one of the best in their business. Gary has shown the horse racing world that he truly is one of the best of the best and we are proud of his contributions to the sport, for the recognition that he gives to his home state, and for his generosity to local charities,” said Risch.

Stevens, who now makes his home in Louisville Kentucky and Sierra Madre California, retired from race riding in 2005. He is being honored by Capitol Racing at Les Bois Park on Saturday, July 15, 2006.

Stevens was born March 6, 1963 in Caldwell, Idaho. He won his first horse race on May 16, 1979 at Les Bois Park on Lil Star (first career mount) trained by his father Ron Stevens. He went on to national prominence with three victories in the Kentucky Derby, two victories in the Preakness Stakes, three in the Belmont Stakes and nine in the prestigious Santa Anita Derby over a career that spanned 27 years and over 5000 worldwide victories. He was inducted into the prestigious Racing Hall of Fame in 1997 joining the other all-time greats of horse racing.

In addition to Stevens’ accomplishments on the track, he earned accolades for his performance in the 2003 Oscar nominated movie Seabiscuit in which he costarred as the legendary jockey George Woolf. That same year, People magazine featured Stevens in their annual 50 Most Beautiful People issue. He now is a horse racing analyst for NBC Sports. In addition, he is a racing analyst for TVG network.

This Saturday will feature festivities involving Stevens and his family at Les Bois Park, and a race named in Stevens’ honor as part of the live racing card which begins at 6:00 p.m. Capitol Racing and Stevens will donate his appearance fee and monies raised from the event to local charities.

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