From the New York Racing Assciation
Prominent jockey agent Vic Gilardi died March 19, at Long Island Jewish Hospital after a one-month stay. He was 78.
A native of Staten Island, N.Y. and a United States Marine Corps veteran who served during the Korean conflict, Gilardi sold insurance before starting out as an agent for his brother-in-law, jockey Tony Russo.
During his lifetime, Gilardi booked mounts for Russo, Karl Korte, Tommy Lee, Kenny Church, Phil Grimm, Richard Migliore, Jorge Chavez, and Shaun Bridgmohan. But it was his 23-year relationship with Hall of Fame jockey Jorge Velasquez for which he is most recognized. Only the late Hall of Fame jockey Bill Shoemaker and his agent of 38 years, Harry Silbert, had a longer, continuous association.
“The best thing that ever happened to me was meeting Victor Gilardi and having him as my agent,” said Velasquez, who retired in 1997 with 6,795 wins. “I was 19 in 1965 and I came to this country under contract to (owner) Fred Hooper. I was riding the last two weeks in Atlantic City without an agent when we hooked up.
“Because of Vic, I am in the Hall of Fame and I won just about every major race in this country. Vic was a workaholic and knew everything about the game. His dedication was amazing, and everybody respected him. He was one of a kind and we always remained close. I learned a lot from him.”
Velasquez is currently an agent for jockey Orlando Bocachica.
Gilardi and Velasquez worked together until 1987, when Velasquez went to France. Gilardi always had success with his jockeys, but his next big score came with Chavez. With Gilardi finding the horses, Chavez was New York’s leading rider from 1994-1999.
Gilardi’s wife of 55 years, Jean, passed away March 12. They are survived by three children – Victor, Russ, and Debbie -- as well as several grandchildren.
A viewing will be held March 24-25, from 2–4 p.m. and from 7–9 p.m. at Bordentown Home for Funerals, 40 Crosswicks St., Bordentown, N.J. 08505.
A funeral Mass will be March 26, at Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 45 Crosswicks St., Bordentown, N.J., followed by internment at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Rd., Wrightstown, N.J.
In lieu of flowers, donations may made to the USO at http://www.uso.org/donate.