Stevens Is Done as Agent, but May Return to Riding

Gary Stevens’ career as a jockey agent was short-lived, and he says he is still considering a possible return to riding.

Three days after saying he was going to represent riders Luis Jauregui and Royston Ffrench, Stevens resigned and has become assistant trainer to Alex Hassinger Jr., who trains the horses of Prince Ahmed Salman’s Thoroughbred Corp.

Stevens, who retired from riding Dec. 26 after finishing fifth in the Malibu Stakes aboard Desert Hero, citing arthritis in his right knee, said he has not abandoned thoughts of returning to his former career.

Inducted into Racing’s Hall of Fame in 1997, Stevens, 36, said he has been undergoing treatment and rehabilitation for his knee. Since being injured in a 1985 spill, Stevens has had four operations on his right knee and two on his left.

“I’m going to continue on with my rehabilitation,” he said Thursday morning. “I haven’t given up hope [of returning to riding]. I’ll continue the rehabilitation and see what happens.”

Last August, Stevens, who has 4,512 victories, including six in Triple Crown and seven in the Breeders’ Cup races, signed a lucrative, long-term contract to be the stable rider for the Thoroughbred Corp. While declining to elaborate further, he said he was offered the position to be Hassinger’s assistant and accepted.

In his new role, Stevens will help train Anees, the colt he rode to an upset victory in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Anees, the champion 2-year-old because of his 30-1 surprise at Gulfstream Park last Nov. 6, has had his 2000 debut delayed because of a foot injury.