Javier Castellano is the 2019 recipient of the Mike Venezia Award, which is awarded to jockeys who exemplify extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship. The Venezia Award will be presented to Castellano May 27 in a ceremony at Belmont Park.
Established in 1989, the award is named in honor of jockey Mike Venezia, who died as a result of injuries he suffered in a spill in 1988 at Belmont Park. Venezia, a Brooklyn native, won more than 2,300 races during his 25-year career.
Castellano, 41 was selected as the 2019 winner through an online fan vote hosted on NYRA.com that closed May 20. The field of candidates included brothers Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Jose Ortiz, Florent Geroux, and Ricardo Santana, Jr.
The Hall of Famer won four consecutive Eclipse Awards from 2013-16 and has won 12 riding titles on the NYRA circuit. In addition to his accomplishments on the track, Castellano also does a lot charity work with associations like the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the Anna House and the Ronald McDonald House.
The first Venezia Award was awarded posthumously to Venezia in 1989. Previous winners of the award include Joe Bravo (2018), Kendrick Carmouche (2017), Mario Pino (2016), Jon Court (2015), Hall of Famer John Velazquez (2014) and Hall of Famer Ramon Dominguez (2013).
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