There will be no more comebacks for Richard Migliore.
Migliore, known for overcoming terrible injuries as much as for his skill as a jockey, retired on Wednesday after a 30-year career.
Migliore made the announcement at a press conference before the post position draw for the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.
The 46-year-old Migliore broke his neck for a second time in a spill at Aqueduct on Jan. 23. He underwent fusion surgery and had hoped to resume riding. Doctors told him last week that another return was not possible.
The latest injury was initially diagnosed as a mild concussion. Migliore resumed riding for about two months until the pain became unbearable. It was then discovered that he had suffered a fractured vertebrae.
Although he never won a Triple Crown race, ``The Mig'' rode 4,450 winners. His mounts earned over $160 million and he won 10 riding titles at Aqueduct. He won the 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint with Desert Code.
His career was always dogged by injuries. His first broken neck in a spill at Belmont in 1988 almost proved fatal. Migliore was able to return six months later, and the accident became an episode on the ``Rescue 911'' television series. He suffered a broken arm, ankle and fibula in separate spills.
Migliore, still wearing a neck brace from the latest surgery in late April, was always able to return. Until now.
``Knowing that I'm not going to get to do it anymore, just makes me sad,'' Migliore said, fighting back tears. ``The biggest thing I feel is gratitude that I got to live my dream.''
His main goal now is to get healthy.
``I haven't made any hard and fast decisions about what my future holds,'' Migliore said. 'Hopefully, it will be something to do with horses. Just want to feel better before I make those decisions.''
