ROCHESTER, N.Y. — After more than five decades of service, one of Finger Lakes Racetrack’s most respected figures is preparing to step away. James “Jimbo” Bailey, a longtime jockey valet to some of horse racing’s biggest names, is retiring after 56 years on the job.
What You Need To Know
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- James Bailey is retiring after 51 years as a jockey valet at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack
- Throughout his career, he worked with legendary riders and built a record-setting partnership with jockey John Davila Jr.
- Bailey says the friendships and family-like bond at the track are what kept him coming back
“Holy cow! This is the first time I’ve seen this. I looked like Andre the Giant,” Bailey said with a laugh, reacting to an old photo from his early days in racing.
Bailey has spent more than half a century behind the scenes at Finger Lakes, watching the racetrack evolve and becoming part of its story along the way.
“Just like somebody who parks cars, but we saddle horses,” Bailey said.
From cleaning gear to helping jockeys suit up, Bailey remembers the first time he saddled a horse like it happened yesterday. Bailey got his start as a hot walker and quickly climbed the ranks in the racing world.
“I started off hot walking, which is probably the best way to start in this business, and then became a groom, and then actually bought a horse,” Bailey said.
Over the years, Bailey worked with some of the sport’s most iconic names, from Bill Shoemaker and Jerry Bailey to John Velazquez, and most recently, Joel Ortiz.
“So many riders I had, but John Davila, winning over 4,000 races here, it’s a record that will never be touched,” Bailey added.
His connection to jockey Joel Cruz was especially meaningful.
“I’m going to miss him over any rider I had because this is his best year,” Bailey expressed.
Others in the jockey room feel the same way about Bailey.
“He is a good guy, the best,” said Ortiz.
But more than the races or the riders, Bailey says it was the people who made this job so special.
“I am with them more than I am with my family on race day. I go home in the heat and have a beer, watch TV and hit the bed, and then it all starts over again,” he said.
As one colleague put it through tears, “He means a lot.”
Now, after 51 years, Bailey is looking forward to life off the track – with sunshine, road trips and time with his wife.
“We are ready to retire and enjoy going to the national parks and go to Florida. If I were in control of my money, I would probably have two or three Corvettes,” he joked.
As he waved goodbye for the last time, one thing was clear – James ‘Jimbo’ Bailey will always be part of the Finger Lakes family.
“Doing this job has been a blessing to me. Walking away from this is not easy,” Bailey added.
