Russell Baze has been named the 2023 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award. The award, named after the late jockey who died after a three-horse accident in the 1980 Canadian Oaks, is given to the person, Canadian-born, Canadian-raised or regular rider in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to Thoroughbred racing.
A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Baze was a prominent name on the North American racing circuit for 42 years, finishing as the all-time leader for wins by a jockey. He recorded 12,842 career wins, 270 of them stakes victories, and paced all North American jockeys in wins a remarkable 13 times.
Baze was inducted into the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame in 1999 and earned the George Woolfe Memorial Jockey Award in 2002. Ten years later, he became a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
“When I started out, I was just a kid who enjoyed riding, and I wasn't very good at it either, but as I went along and became a more competent rider, all the accolades that have come my way were something I never even dreamed of,” Baze said. “All I wanted to do was go out there and win as many races as I could and do the best job I could, not only for the owners and trainers, but also the fans.”
To commemorate his lasting contributions to the sport, a life-size statue of Gomez, who called Toronto home and raised a family there, keeps watch over Woodbine's walking ring. A replica is presented to each year's recipient.
The Avelino Gomez Memorial Award ceremony will take place on July 23 at Woodbine, on Woodbine Oaks day.
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