Christopher J Russell
Encyclopedia
Chris J. Russell is an American Thoroughbred horse racing
jockey
. He grew up with no horse racing background. He did not get on a horse till the age of 18. He learned to ride in South Carolina breaking babies for Frank "Gorrie" Smith. After spending two years there he returned to California.
Chris Russell obtained his jockey's license in December 2003 and began riding in California
(where he won his first race at Santa Anita
on February 23, 2005) before heading to the East Coast of the United States
where he rode at Monmouth Park Racetrack
in New Jersey
for a short time before ending up at Laurel Park Racecourse (where he was involved in a November 2005 collision that sent both him and Rosie Napravnik to the hospital). In 2007, he returned to a base in Southern California
and the following year began riding at Los Alamitos Race Course
. In June 2009 he left to ride the Northern California Fairs. After the 2010 racing fairs ended in October Chris returned to Los Alamitos Race Course
and has done well.
Russell won the top jockey award at the 2011 Humboldt County Fair meet in Ferndale, California
after having taken second place at the previous year's meet.
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
. He grew up with no horse racing background. He did not get on a horse till the age of 18. He learned to ride in South Carolina breaking babies for Frank "Gorrie" Smith. After spending two years there he returned to California.
Chris Russell obtained his jockey's license in December 2003 and began riding in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(where he won his first race at Santa Anita
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
on February 23, 2005) before heading to the East Coast of the United States
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
where he rode at Monmouth Park Racetrack
Monmouth Park Racetrack
Monmouth Park Racetrack is an American race track for thoroughbred horse racing in Oceanport, New Jersey. It is owned by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and is operated under a five-year lease as a partnership with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.Monmouth Park's marquee event...
in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
for a short time before ending up at Laurel Park Racecourse (where he was involved in a November 2005 collision that sent both him and Rosie Napravnik to the hospital). In 2007, he returned to a base in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
and the following year began riding at Los Alamitos Race Course
Los Alamitos Race Course
Los Alamitos Race Course is a horse racing track in Cypress, California. The track hosts both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. The track has the distinction of holding four quarter horse stakes races with purses over $1 million, more than any other track in the United States.-Early...
. In June 2009 he left to ride the Northern California Fairs. After the 2010 racing fairs ended in October Chris returned to Los Alamitos Race Course
Los Alamitos Race Course
Los Alamitos Race Course is a horse racing track in Cypress, California. The track hosts both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. The track has the distinction of holding four quarter horse stakes races with purses over $1 million, more than any other track in the United States.-Early...
and has done well.
Russell won the top jockey award at the 2011 Humboldt County Fair meet in Ferndale, California
Ferndale, California
Ferndale is a city in Humboldt County, California, United States. Known for its well-preserved Victorian buildings, the city's population was 1,371 at the 2010 census, down from 1,382 at the 2000 census...
after having taken second place at the previous year's meet.