Baze expected to announce retirement from saddle

Russell Baze, the all-time leading jockey in the history of Thoroughbred racing, is expected to formally announce his retirement from the saddle Tuesday during a media conference call. The news was first broken Monday by Paulick Report.

The 58-year-old Baze finished second aboard Wahine Warrior in Sunday's 10th race at Golden Gate Fields. According to Paulick Report, Baze revealed his plans to his long-time agent, Ray Harris, after the race.

Baze has ridden 12,842 winners from 53,578 mounts. He recorded his first victory at Yakima Meadows in Washington on October 28, 1974, and surpassed Laffit Pincay Jr. as the all-time winningest rider on December 1, 2006 when visiting the winner's circle for the 9,530th time.

In recent years, Baze has narrowly led South American-based rider Jorge Ricardo for most wins ever by a jockey. Ricardo is still active and might soon surpass Baze's record.

A native of Vancouver, Baze was based primarily in Northern California, where he won dozens of riding titles at Golden Gate and the defunct Bay Meadows.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, Baze was the recipient of the George Woolf Award in 2002 and was the leading North American rider by wins 13 times.

(Vassar Photography)