News Release
Contact: Public Relations Coordinator
(800) 342-9835, ext. 8130One of America’s Premiere Jockeys Will Be An
‘Odds on Favorite’ At NYSCUL’s Annual Convention
(July 12 - Latham, NY) – Jerry Bailey, widely regarded as one of the premier jockeys ever to mount a thoroughbred, will hear the galloping footsteps of credit unionists instead of horses when he presents the keynote address at the New York State Credit Union League’s Annual Convention in Saratoga Springs Monday, July 30.
Bailey has claimed nearly all of racing’s most prestigious prizes. He has won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes two times each, as well as a record 14 Breeders’ Cup races. Bailey received the Eclipse Award as the nation’s top jockey seven times, holds the record for most earnings in a year and most stakes wins in a season. As president of the Jockey’s Guild from 1989-96, Bailey became an official advocate for improved health and safety standards in racing. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1995.
In 2005, Bailey chronicled his rise in the racing world and his toughest challenge, alcoholism that nearly destroyed him professionally and personally, in the autobiographical Against the Odds: Riding for My Life, written with USA Today Sportswriter Tom Pedulla.
"We are pleased to have Jerry Bailey speak at NYSCUL’s annual conference," said William J. Mellin, president/CEO, NYSCUL. "I believe that all credit unionists attending his presentation will be able to relate to the drive, courage, and concentration that against all odds took him to the top of his sport."
Bailey will participate in a "meet & greet" following his presentation. The race will then be on as credit union attendees make their way to Saratoga Race Track for lunch on the paddock and a fun and relaxing afternoon at the races.
The theme of NYSCUL’s Annual Convention, "Credit Unions: The Odds on Favorite," coincides with the beginning of the thoroughbred racing meet at Saratoga Race Track where Bailey is the all-time leading jockey.
Bailey was born in Dallas, TX in 1957. He began his racing career in 1974 at New Mexico’s Sunland Park where he won on his first mount, Fletch. Bailey went on to win an impressive 5,892 races from 30,846 North American mounts before he retired 31 years later in 2006. He continues to be involved in the field of racing, most notably as a commentator for major televised races on ESPN.
The New York State Credit Union League (NYSCUL) has served as the trade association for the state’s credit unions for 90 years. It is the fifth largest league in the country. New York credit unions have assets of more than $37 billion and more than 4.1 million members. To learn more about the League, visit www.nyscul.org.
New York State Credit Union
League, Inc. & Affiliates
P.O. Box 15118, Albany, New York 12212-5118 | 19 British American Boulevard, Latham, New
York 12110
800-342-9835 | Fax 518-437-8284
