Well here we are with another year
coming to an end. This past year has brought forth
many exciting times and changes. This is a very exciting
and challenging time for Angie and I with the retirement
from race riding and moving on to my new career as
a race analyst and hopefully fullfiling mydream of
more acting.
Thank you so much for all of the
support all of you have shown throughout my riding
career and especially in the last couple of years.
I am always humbled to learn how many fans are out
there around the world following what is happening
in my life. This support gives me a constant source
to rely upon to succeed in whatever I am doing. I
hope you all will continue to follow whatever is put
in front of me in the coming months.
The new job with TVG starts on Jan.
14th covering the Risen Star stakes "in studio"
at Louisianna Dns.
A special thank you to our armed
forces around the world for keeping us safe here in
the GREAT USA
as well as Monica Driver and all of the staff that
keeps GaryStevens.com up and running at the highest
level possible.
Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas
and a safe holiday season
With all my love and thanks
Gary Stevens
August
30, 2004
We
can't wait to return home.
I'm
so sorry I haven't been able to
respond to everyone as I have been without our computer
the whole
month. This letter will be brief as Angie and I are
running
around like maniacs trying to get packed and return
home. I will
start riding immediately when we return. I'm booked
to ride my
old friend Fairly Run, an old Fabre horse, on Friday
at Del Mar
and I'll be busy throughout the weekend. Angie and
I will return
to L.A. on Thurs. so we have a lot to do in a short
amount of
time.
It
has been a great experience for the past several months
and I don't regret it for one minute. Angie has given
me so much
support through the difficult times and I don't know
how I could
have lasted this long without her. I have learned
so much here
about the French culture, as well as the French racing.
It hasn't
been easy but like it is said anything good in life
is never easy.
Andre
Fabre is a great horseman and we will continue to
do business
in the future as Grey Lilas is booked to come for
either the
Flower Bowl in New York, or the Yellow Ribbon at Santa
Anita. I
currently have a chance to do some T.V. work when
we return home
but I would prefer to see if it pans out before saying
anything
more about it. :i.e.: bad luck.
For
now gotta get busy packing and I'll write when I get
a chance.
For
Now all the best
Gary
July
4
Hi Everyone
Well,
as everyone has probably already seen, yesterday was
very
disappointing. The day started off nicely with a hard
fought third on Dream
Play, a lightly raced filly by In The Wings stepping
way up in class in
only her third start. This was a group 2 and the filly
looked like she
would finish a tiring fourth when she surprised me
by rerallying in the
final strides to recapture third ,beaten only a length
or so.
Polish Summer was a huge disappointment with his poor
finish, I wasn't
sure why he ran so poorly until I was walking back
to unsaddle when the
assistant trainer pointed out that he had lost a shoe.
Polish Summer
wears glue on shoes and it is my belief that he lost
the shoe early on in
the straight away. He was giving me the same feel
he had given me in
Dubai with a little over two furlongs to go. I was
just biding my time
riding him with patience . I wasn't going to ask him
for his best until
well inside the final furlong. Suddenly Polish Summer
was struggling
with the racing surface. Normally when all of this
happens in such a
brief amount of time something has happened I didn't
know at that instant
what the problem was, but I knew it was something.
One good thing about
a situation like this is I know the horse is okay
and we will both
bounce back with some big wins.
Finally
it was on to Cherry Mix in a listed race , and again
we were
dissappointed, Second again, the only excuse we had
was that the colt was
very fresh and didn't want to relax much early in
the race. He finished
great and I'm sure there is a big race win out there
for him somewhere.
So there you have it, another day at the races. It
is early in the
morning here and we have to get on the road soon for
our week in Deauville
. Angie and I are looking forward to some new scenery
the week before
we come home for the wedding. I think that we both
miss our friends and
family a great deal. It has been over three months
now. I plan to enjoy
this next week and not put to much pressure on myself,
it will be a new
racecourse for me to ride so yet another adjustment.
Well that's what
racing is about in every way, Adjustment. In a way
that's what life is
all about also.
Everyone, Thanks for staying tuned in to this site,
And special thanks
to
the armed forces, keep up the great work.
Happy belated 4th of July
July
1
Well I finally have a few days off from racing and
it feels good.
Things have been a little quiet on the winning front,
but the horses are
running pretty well. I always get frustrated when
I'm running seconds and
thirds and not winning much. I had a nice winner for
American owner B.
Wayne Hughes the other day. He is a home bred by Storm
Cat out of a
Seattle Slew mare. I think he is going to be something
pretty special.
Yesterday turned into a long day when I had a filly
bump the side of
the gate as she was coming out, unfortunately my little
toe was in the
way and now it is as big as my big toe. Really nice
looking with
different tints of purple and blue. Oh well it's a
long way from my heart and
there isn't much you can do abut a broken toe. I rode
work this morning
and it didn't bother me. We have a big day on Sunday
at St. Cloud, I'll
be back aboard Polish Summer in the Grand Prix de
Saint Cloud, He seems
to be doing ok at home. We are off to Deauville next
week for a week
of racing so its time to pack the suitcases again
then we are ready to
come home for the wedding on the 18th of July. I must
admit that Angie
and I have become more than a little homesick for
the good ol USA. It
has been really nice to have my youngest daughter
Carlie here , she keeps
everything pretty light, she has a great personality
and doesn't let to
much bother her. Today we are going to Notre Dame,
and then o!
n a dinner cruise on the River Sienne. We have done
this before and
Angie and I wanted to take Carlie, it takes about
two hours and they take
you past the Eiffel Tower when all the lights go on
and it is really a
spectacular sight.
Well
we have a busy day ahead of us so I better get busy,
one job I
have is downloading music on my new Ipod that Angie
and the kids got me
for fathers day,pretty cool , well it would be more
cool if I didn't have
to have my daughter show me how to download everything,
I'm not great
with all this computer stuff but I'm learning.
For
now Au Revoir
Gary
June
22
I'm going to be busy the next few days. Tomorrow Maison
Laffit, thur.
Chantilly. Today had a second and a fourth, not much
to report other
than we can't wait to get home for the wedding. My
two youngest Carlie
and Riley have been here for three weeks and it has
been great. Riley
returned back to the states today, simply saying at
age 15 that he is
ready to get back home. Carlie will stay here until
Angie and I return home
for the wedding.
take
care
GLS
June
21
We just returned from England, sorry I haven't been
in touch, I've been
very busy with no access to a computer. Ascot was
fun and I was very
fortunate not to have fallen. I don't know where all
of the quotes came
from with all of the big words, because I have never
ever heard some of
the words that I was quoted as saying. Oh well leave
it to the English
press. They tend to spice things up. I am back racing
today at
Chantilly, so hopefully I can get back on track. Angie
and I will return home
on the thirteenth of July for the wedding, and I will
have Angie try to
send some pics. Gotta go to the races so I write to
you all later.
All the best GLS
June
11
hello everyone
It looks like seventeen or eighteen runners for the
Prix De Diane,
Gray Lillas was a supplement of which made my day.
She worked unbelievable
on tuesday morning on the racecourse, I really think
she is something I
will be talking about in years to come. There has
been question about
her stamina and ability to stay, Ha! I remember another
Gray filly that
certain people said she couldn't stay the classic
distance, her name
was Winning Colors. The rest is history. Anyway I
may be eating my words
at this time Sunday night but if I am that's what
this sport is all
about.
Today I had a really nice winner at Longchamp, a colt
by Theatrical
with one eye. We think he is pretty special. His name
is Ecole D' Art,
That's a little to fancy for us so we call him Red
Pollard, he fits his
nick name to a :T: he has loads of heart, determination,
and talent.
We will keep our fingers crossed. Things are really
starting to come
together as a team with the whole Fabre Stevens team.
The people at the
stables seem to be happy and any time the whole team
is happy and
content the horses seem to perform to a higher level.
It's going to be busy
the next couple of days so when I get a chance I'll
update u all.
Thanks for staying tuned
GLS
June
7
Hi Everyone
Sorry It's been awhile. Good news here my suspension
from the
Italians has been postponed until my appeal can be
heard on June 24 which
means I am free for the French Oaks on Sun. and also
Royal Ascot. Evidently
this is the first time that an jockeys appeal has
been heard in Italy,
go figure. Anyway we are all relieved and excited
about the next two
weeks. The weekend went o.k. not great. I'm sure that
you have all
already read the results. I was more disappointed
in the Belmont results than
my own results. I was really hoping for a win by Smarty
Jones. The
Triple crown must be the most difficult challenge
in sports. Congrats to
Nick Zito , Edgar Prado and MaryLou Whitney, not to
mention Birdstone.
The
weather is great and Angie and I are looking forward
to our wedding
next month. I think were both looking forward to getting
home for a few
days. Angie has been a rock for me since we have been
here. I don't
know where she finds the energy, planning the wedding
and taking care of
me. I couldn't be happier.
Thanks for keeping up on the French adventure, and
I'll try to write
more often.
Until next time take care
GLS
May
31
Hi Everyone
I am so sorry for keeping everyone in suspense, but
this has been a
crazy weekend. Basically the horse I was on after
the Derby bolted down
to the start of a 1200 meter race or six furlongs
which ever you prefer.
The horse raced down uncontrollably in about 1. min
and 11 seconds from
my closest calculations after twenty five years of
racing. The horse
and I got to the end of the gallop and there was nowhere
to go and the
horse hit a concrete wall with me still aboard. He
obviously had slowed
down somewhat but after hitting the wall he was bleeding
from the mouth
and I was very distraught at what had just occurred.
I requested a vet
for the horse and told the officials that not only
was I unfit to ride
but the horse was unfit to run. The officials demanded
that I remount
and ride the horse because I was a professional and
this shouldn't
matter if I was that good. I was worried about my
safety, the other jockeys'
safety and the horse's well being. After a lengthy
time a replacement jockey was brought down to ride
the horse. The poor horse
finished last by many lengths, and I am sorry I don't
know how he is doing.
I returned to the jockey room and requested a doctor
and a glass of
water, I was refused sent to the stewards and given
a 20 day ban by the
stewards at the request of the trainer who obviously
had no concern for
horse, jockey, owner or betting public. Excuse me
but I haven't got to
where I'm at by treating animals or myself like that.
After the five minute hearing in which I was not allowed
an
interpreter, I was finally taken to the doctor who
administered an injection of
Toridol which is a muscle relaxant. The doctor then
went back to the
officials and told them I had been unfit along with
a handwritten letter.
The stewards wadded up the paper and threw it on the
ground, and sent
us out of the room.
I
was called a coward and a liar.I love life and animals.
I have appealed the suspension and every belief that
if the ruling is
not overturned ,then the civilized racing jurisdictions
from around the
world will think twice about doing business with such
a prehistoric
attitude towards animals, jockeys, and owners. This
is the problem that
is causing the demise of our sport. We are not machines,
yes it is
entertainment but someone has to govern our sport
that really care and
fully understands what it is all about.
Anyway you will hear more later stay tuned
Thanks Gary
May
25
There are some great articles in Le Monde magazine
this issue with a
full photo layout. Also in Of Course magazine. They
are French but very
interesting in that Andre Fabre did his first interview
in fifteen
years. He was very kind.
Things are really good here now, with full on summer
finally hear. Our
best three yr. olds are just starting to come in to
themselves. It is
really nice to see mother nature take it's course.
I am truly looking
forward to the French spring classics for the three
yr. olds. The three
yr. old classics for the American horses will basically
end in one
week. What a Shame. These babies are just now figuring
out the game. Anyway
I'm sorry I haven't said anything for a few days ,
but I'll try to keep
everyone updated on what's going on.
Take care, Good Luck, And May the BOYS defending our
country stay
SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good Night GLS
May
19
Things will be very busy this week again as I am riding
at Longchamp
today, Lyon thursday and Friday and Ireland on Saturday
at the Curragh.
I received a phone call yesterday from my agent in
England asking that
I ride a horse for Sir Michael Stoute. With no racing
in France on Sat.
I told him I would love to come over. I will come
straight back Sat.
evening as there is racing Sun. back at Longchamp.
Hopefully I'll ride
few winners. I will give an update either Sunday or
Monday.
Until then, all the best
Gary
May
18
Well, my seconditis continued here in France, but
if you’re going to
run second, I guess Gr. 1's are the races to do it
in. Anyway it was a
good weekend.
All that the Preakness proved to me is that my opinion
was right: The
Rock is special. I would not have traveled across
the Atlantic and back
if I didn't think he was special. I love the Rock
and he is one of the
best horses I have ever ridden. It was only his fourth
race and I
thought his performance was brilliant; unfortunately,
we ran into a better
horse on the day. Who knows what the outcome would
have been with more
experience and a race a sooner than seven weeks. Jason
Orman did a Hall
of Fame job preparing The Rock for the race. What
is important now is
that the horse is managed properly and he may be able
to turn the tables
later in the year.
Well,
there you have it-- Gary Stevens wearing his heart
on his
sleeve!
Gotta go now and catch up on my sleep
Gary
P.S.
Hugs to Ashley, T.C., Riley, Carlie and mom and dad
May
14
We're just getting ready to leave for Baltimore in
a few
hours....things are going well and I would love to
win the Preakness...To my
millitary friends all over the world, thank you from
the bottom of my heart for
making this world a safer place. I ride for you every
day. Keep doing
what you're doing. We miss you all and take care of
each other. We will
be waiting with open arms when you get home.
Thanks
and Love to you all,
Gary Stevens
May
5
Hey Everyone
It's been a great start this week with two winners
yesterday –Tuesday
- and another today Wed. Things have settled down
and it's back to
business as usual.
I am coming home for Rock Hard Ten in the Preakness.
The flight is
booked. Angie and I arrive on Friday the 14th around
noon in D.C. and we
will have to leave immediately after the race to get
back for racing in
Paris the following day. I am keeping up with everything
at home and am
looking forward to the Preakness. From what I witnessed
in the Derby we
all have our work cut out for us. Smarty Jones was
visually impressive
to me even though I was a long ways away. That's alright
I have a
really good feeling that the Rock and myself will
be up for it.
I have an early morning and I need my sleep, so for
now good night.
GARY
May
4
Hello Everyone
I Know anyone out there that has been following the
French adventure
closely is probably wondering why I haven't commented
on what happened
over the weekend. Well for once I thought it might
be a good time to
let the smoke settle before I made any comment.
For those of you that don't know I was asked to remove
not only the
American flag from my riding britches but also the
French flag. As you
might assume this riled me up a whole bunch and I
let the French Gallop
authorities know where my heart is. This obviously
caused quiet a
stir. Fortunately calmer heads prevailed and I now
have the permission
along with an apology to wear the Flag as I please.
I informed everyone
that I am proud to be American and proud to be in
France without a lot
of politics. It's a trying time for all s we go through
the times. We
don't make the decisions but I support the decisions
that my country
makes.
Gotta go I hope you all understand.
All the best Gary Stevens
American In France.
May
3
We had to listen to the Derby in very much the same
way as most of
America listened to the Great Match Race with the
Biscuit and War Admiral.
We couldn't watch it but it was in a way more exciting
to listen. I was
very happy for all the connections, there is no feeling
in the world
like winning the Derby. Congrats to all.
Lottsa
love
Gary
April
26
It was a great weekend for Angie and I, One Gr. winner
and another nice
winner today, Mon. The weather is unbelievable and
the horses even more
so. In other words things are heating up and we're
having fun and
settling in.
Just
checking in with everyone and I've gotta make some
phone calls to
the States. I'm gonna call Mr. Orman and see how the
Rock is doing.
I'll definitely be watching on Saturday.
Thanks and stay tuned.
Gary
P.S.
Love ya Mom, Dad, James, Ash, T.C , Riley, Carlie.
April
23
Sorry for the slow response things are pretty busy
here now. I can't
get back for more acupuncture untill May 10. This
guy is very busy. It
wasn't warm enough in the south to go swimming, the
other day but it is
warm enough now in Chantilly. Summer seems to be here,
the weather is
beautiful. Day off today but it has been hectic. Five
big races Sun. at
Longchamp. Hope I can give you some good news.
Gotta
Go take care.
Gary
April
21
Hello All
It
has been a wild start of the week with a fall at Fontainbleu,
don't
wory I'm alright. I went to this amazing acupuncture
man in Paris that
made me feel like I am twenty years old. As you already
know I booted
home three winners yesterday. Sorry Monica not four.
Things will really
get active here in the next few weeks.
Now for some news most of you won't be happy about,
but I am happy
because this is the reason I have come to France.
I won't be able to
come home for the KY Derby because of an obligation
to my new boss that I
think everyone will understand when the year is over.
I can't say
anymore than that but i'm looking forward to the coming
months.
Life is good Angie is the best, and I am very happy.
America is still
Home and always will be. We're doing great.
I
will tell you more when I know more. Sorry for no
updates in a few
days, but we had to go to the south of France for
a few days. Don't feel
to sorry for us it was gorgeous. This is like a paid
vacation, except
for the falls.
Anyway I'll try and give you more recent updates.
Stay Tuned.
All the best Gary
April
14
Bonjour everyone.
Had a great day today. I've seen that my results have
already been
posted, that's o.k I like talking about days like
this. That's why I'm
doing this. I rode a really promising colt today that
may have a brilliant
future. First time out of the gate he was a hard fought
winner. The
best part he loved it as much as I did. Next race
a nice filly that has a
lot of quality a lot to learn but she enjoys her job:
just like me, she
finished a determined third. The best part of my day
was coming home
with my bride to be, meeting our good friend Christopher
for a round of
golf on a beautiful spring afternoon and whipping
him in a great game
of golf. You have to understand I'm not to good at
golf, so when I win
with another true competitor I take great satisfaction
in it. Anyway
it's getting late and I've got some early work in
the morning, so I better
sign off.
All the best
Gary
P.S Mom We Love Ya, stay tuned your youngest
Double p.s Tomorrow should be another day to write
about
Gary
April
13
HI GUYS ITS ME
Hope
all is well in the homeland. I'm busy working horses.
It is 9:00
a.m. here tues. morning I've worked four already and
have one more to go
at 9:30 just taking a coffee break and checking e-mails.
Things went
well on Sunday with two seconds one in a group I .
I want two send my
best wishes to Mary Beth who helps out tremendously
with keeping everyone
updated on what's happening with all of my racing
info. She has just
become a new aunt. Congrats !!
Also Monica Driver who is responsible for this site
you guys are the
best.
Anyway I have a new manager here named Herve Nagger.
He's a wonderful
guy that speaks fluent english and he will be booking
me outside rides
when I am not needed for Mr. Fabres' horses.
I'm
running short on time Gotta Go!
Take care
Gary
April
9
Its late I just watched the Fantasy Stakes and I'm
going to bed. By
the way rode three today - one second, one third and
a fourth. I am
learning the French way of riding ...............
ride
American all the way trust my instincts. Anyway Im
getting comfy.
Talk to you soon
Gary
April
8
I'm awaiting patiently the results of this weekends
big races to see if
The Rock will be able to run in the Derby. If the
favorites run well
then it should help us get in. I've been in contact
with Jason and the
big horse came out of the race very good. We will
just have to keep our
fingers crossed. OOps theres my hole gotta go.
See
ya later guys.
Gary
April
5
Hello From Gary
I
had my first winner yesterday and it feels great.
Also had a third in
the Gr. II . And a second in a listed race. We're
enjoying the French
culture. The racing is much different with very little
pace early in the
race. The races become very tactical from a position
point of view.
Basically the races turn into sprints no matter the
distance so position
is very important.
It
is a challenge I am enjoying.
For now gotta go.
All
the best Gary
April 2
We are very content right now and you can pass that
on. It is our first
day off and we are enjoying immensely. We have had
a nice French lunch
with just the rite amount of red wine. The French
people have been very
kind and helpful, I must admit I am a bit surprised.
Very Nice
For now Au Revoir
Gary
March
24
"We made it safe and sound. Just chilling out
by the pool, the weather is great, sleeping very well
without any jet lag.
We will try and get some photos."
Gary
