Ramon Dominguez announces his retirement

[toppled]

http://www.nyra.com/belmont/statement-from-ramon-dominguez/

[FrankD.]

IMHO The best of the current generation of riders by a wide margin the past 5 years or so.

TGJB said it best last summer at the Spa \" giving Ramon the rail in a two turn race should be accompanied by a 5lb. handicap\".

[magicnight]

"I'm well aware of this being a short career," he said. "I just hope that I can do the best I can with what I make, not only for myself but the future of my family. My wife and I have a simple lifestyle, and we take pleasure in the small things. I don't keep up with the Joneses, so to speak. I feel like I have it all."

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/sports/an-unorthodox-jockey-and-predictable-winner.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

In case you missed it late last year, a nice article by Ryan Goldberg about Ramon. Obviously, no \"dumb jock\" here. Good for him that he made smart decisions about money and can afford to make the right decision for himself and his family.

[Rick B.]

Never thought of myself as a Ramon D. \"fan\"...

Helluva lot of respect, yes, of course -- the guy was money.

I feel a little sick about him having to retire, when I
would normally just shrug my shoulders over such a thing.
Maybe it\'s because he is only 36.

Which makes me think: we might not have seen his best.

[justwin]

Ramon was our go to jock. Super nice guy. would go out of his way to come over and say hello. One helluva jock too.

[jimbo66]

Frank,

Would agree with you 100%.  Believe he was the best jockey in the game the last 5+ years.  I don\'t think it is that close.  

Unfortunately, the Triple Crown wins and Breeder\'s Cup wins don\'t add up to the conclusion that you/I draw.  I think a lot of that was his decision to stay in New York and not travel to the circuits where some of the top trainers go to for their big meets.  Winter in NY is not conducive to Triple Crown wins.

But this guy almost ALWAYS put his horse in position to win.  Was aggressive when he needed to be, like on the main track, especially at AQU in the winter, but then was also patient riding the turf course.  He really combined all the skills a top jockey possesses.  

Funny how this game works though.  I think he was much the best, but he never had a streak like Rosario had from the Dubai World Cup to Keenland to the Derby.  Not even close.  That said, I don\'t think Rosario, at this point in his career, is even within shouting distance of where Ramon was.  Strength and aggression, sure, but not the brains and positioning Ramon had.  

He will be missed in the game.