Jockey Grabowski Retires to Become Trainer

Jockey John Grabowski, the six-time leading rider at Finger Lakes in Farmington, N.Y., has retired and will begin a training career next year.

Grabowski, 50, closed out his riding career with the conclusion of the Finger Lakes racing season Dec. 5.

“I am still riding at a high level but I feel like it’s time,” said the native of Coalinga, Calif. “I want to get into something else different and exciting. I think I’m capable of it.”

During a brief foray into the training ranks in 1992-93, Grabowski saddled 18 winners from 70 starters before resuming his riding career in 1994.

Grabowski, who rode his first winner at Tampa Bay Downs in 1979, completed his career with a total of 3,401 wins in 17,614 starts and $28,185,106 in lifetime earnings. At Finger Lakes, where is the second all-time leading rider, he won a record 77 stakes.