Hall of fame jockey now on the clock at Hastings
My favourite line from the Eagles' song Hotel California is, “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.”
That seems to be the case for former jockey Richard Hamel when it comes to horse racing. Hamel, who retired from riding in 2021, found that other work was not as rewarding as being at the track, and he's now part of the clocking crew at Hastings. He plies his new trade from the press box, which is on top of the Hastings grandstand and has a spectacular view of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore mountains.
“I was part of the maintenance crew at a golf course, but since I was the new guy, I was at the bottom of the pile and got all the crappy jobs,” said Hamel.
“I love being a clocker. It's hard to find a better place to work from, and I am happy to still be part of racing.”
Beginning in 2010, Hamel was a five-time leading jockey at Hastings, and led all riders in stakes wins from 2014 to 2019. Hamel also led the standings in stakes wins in 2010. He would still be riding today except for battling weight and the constant pain in his knees from a riding career that started in 1988.
“I loved riding, but it just got to be too much,” said Hamel. “Now I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and I am pain free.”
Inducted into the B.C. Horse Racing Hall of Fame in March, Hamel credits his aunt Margaret for pointing him in the right direction. “I was a bit out of control and when I was 15, my mom told me I either had to go live with her sister or she was going to send me to juvie.”
The person who keeps him in line now is trainer Charlene Miller, his common-law wife. After Hamel is done with his clocking duties, he helps out at her barn in the Hastings backstretch.
“Considering everything she has done for me, it's the least I can do,” said Hamel.
Hamel also works part-time as a valet in the jocks room, where between races he is happy to tutor some of the younger riders.
“I think we have a good group of jockeys this year and the new guys are willing to learn,” he said.
Hamel said he liked the way Arollercoasterride worked five furlongs last weekend.
Considering he is the best horse in the field, he should be tough to beat in the fifth race Saturday. The Kentucky-bred son of Curlin is trained by Barbara Heads. Her brother Robbie Anderson has a good shot of winning the sixth race with Aristocracy. He won the only time he ran in a sprint and could be tough to beat as he ships in racing fit from Oaklawn.
Mage overcame a lot to win the Kentucky Derby and figures to be a handful in the Preakness. National Treasure and First Mission look like the ones with the best chances of spoiling his chance of winning the second leg of the Triple Crown.