#13 - Jockey Slade Callaghan

Horse Racing Journeys - The Talk Show

Slade Callaghan was born in Bridgetown, Barbados, and is a jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing. Slade Callaghan grew up on the beautiful island of Barbados, surrounded by sea, sand, and surf; however, despite all the distractions, Slade had blinkers on and was focused on only one thing – to become a top thoroughbred jockey.

Slade earned his racing license at 16 in 1986, and after dedicated practice and determination, he won his first race in 1986. Unfortunately, shortly afterward, a severe accident left him with a shoulder injury requiring extensive treatment.

However, true to his determined belief that he would be a top jockey, Slade dusted himself off and was back in the saddle, winning his first race only ten months later.

He continued to race in Barbados until 1993, when he decided to try racing in Canada, where he had seen his brother, Brett, ride at Woodbine. Canada is where his riding career took off.

Considered tall for a jockey at 5' 8", Callaghan competed in his native Barbados, where his success led him to relocate in 1994 to a base at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Callaghan captured the 2002 Breeders' Stakes, a Canadian Classic Race, among his victories. In 2004 he traveled to his homeland, where he won the country's most prestigious race, the Barbados Gold Cup.

Since then, Slade has consistently won numerous races, including the Incitatus Cup on Barbados Day at Woodbine, the Grade 3 Connaught Cup, and the prestigious Grade 1 $1-million Woodbine Mile name a few.

Slade is still riding high on success; in 2009, he won three stakes. Incredibly this fearless jockey not only holds down his glittering career but also has a beautiful wife, Kelly, and remains close to his parents, David and Maureen, and his brother, Brett."