Mike Venezia
Encyclopedia
Michael Joseph Venezia was an American
Thoroughbred horse racing
jockey
who was killed in a racing accident.
Venezia had been a jockey for twenty-five years and rode his first winner in 1964. He had ridden 2,313 winners when he was thrown from his horse, Mr. Walter K. and trampled to death by a trailing horse during a race at Belmont Park
. The New York Times reported he had recently said that the highlight of his career came on December 7, 1964 when he won six races in one day at Aqueduct Racetrack
. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE0DF133AF937A25753C1A96E948260
Active in jockey affairs, Venezia served as president of the Jockeys' Guild
from 1975 to 1981.
Mike Venezia was survived by his wife, Helene, son, Michael Edward, and daughter, Alison.
Michael Venezia was actually named Frederick Venezia (by tradition, after his paternal grandfather) when he was born. But his uncle, Michael Venezia, a Sargent in the US Army was killed in action while fighting in Germany on April 18, 1945, so when the telegram announcing the tragic event arrived just after the birth, the name was changed to Michael in honor of the fallen uncle.
Annually since 1989, the New York Racing Association
provides the Mike Venezia Memorial Award
to a rider who exemplifies extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Thoroughbred horse racing
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
who was killed in a racing accident.
Venezia had been a jockey for twenty-five years and rode his first winner in 1964. He had ridden 2,313 winners when he was thrown from his horse, Mr. Walter K. and trampled to death by a trailing horse during a race at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
. The New York Times reported he had recently said that the highlight of his career came on December 7, 1964 when he won six races in one day at Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE0DF133AF937A25753C1A96E948260
Active in jockey affairs, Venezia served as president of the Jockeys' Guild
Jockeys' Guild
The Jockeys' Guild Inc. is an American trade association based in Lexington, Kentucky, representing thoroughbred horse racing and American quarter horse professional jockeys...
from 1975 to 1981.
Mike Venezia was survived by his wife, Helene, son, Michael Edward, and daughter, Alison.
Michael Venezia was actually named Frederick Venezia (by tradition, after his paternal grandfather) when he was born. But his uncle, Michael Venezia, a Sargent in the US Army was killed in action while fighting in Germany on April 18, 1945, so when the telegram announcing the tragic event arrived just after the birth, the name was changed to Michael in honor of the fallen uncle.
Annually since 1989, the New York Racing Association
New York Racing Association
The New York Racing Association, Inc. is the not-for-profit corporation that operates the three largest thoroughbred horse-racing tracks in the state of New York. It runs Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens, Belmont Park in Elmont, Long Island , and Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga...
provides the Mike Venezia Memorial Award
Mike Venezia Memorial Award
Mike Venezia Memorial Award is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor given annually by the New York Racing Association to honor a jockeys who exemplifies extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship...
to a rider who exemplifies extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship.