The New York Racing Association announced July 10 that retired grade 1-winning jockey, longtime NYRA jockey valet, and Brooklyn, N.Y., native Nick Santagata is the 2026 recipient of the Mike Venezia Memorial Award.
Santagata, the winner of 4,144 races with earnings of $74,129,642 in a career of more than 30 years, was chosen by a committee comprised of members of the Venezia family, representatives of The Jockeys’ Guild and retired Eclipse Award-winning jockey Richard Migliore. Santagata will be recognized and honored during a winner’s circle ceremony Aug. 2 at Saratoga Race Course.
Santagata, 69, becomes the first retired jockey to earn the Venezia Memorial Award. In addition to honoring his accomplishments as a jockey, the award acknowledges Santagata’s decadeslong contribution in mentoring and supporting a generation of riders. He remains a familiar presence at the New York tracks. Santagata galloped horses in the mornings until 2024, and he continues to work closely with riders as a NYRA valet…