Hall of Fame US Jockey Javier Castellano Tests Positive for Coronavirus

Renowned American jockey Javier Catellano has tested positive for Covid 19, his agent has confirmed.

He is the first big-name jockey in the USA to reveal that he has the illness, which has ravaged across the world in recent weeks.

The pandemic has led to sports events all over the world being cancelled, although much American horse racing has continued to go ahead behind closed doors.

“Javier is asymptomatic and feels fine and healthy. He jogged three miles Wednesday and looked forward to the weekend,” the jockey’s agent, John Panagot, said.

It is unclear where the jockey contracted the virus. He remains in good health, though.

He did ride at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas on the same day that New Orleans Saints coach Sean Peyton presented a trophy.

Peyton has also subsequently tested positive for the virus.

Castellano rode at Gulfstream in Florida the next day, before heading to New York, the American epicenter of the Covid 19 outbreak, to spend time with his family.

Gulfstream paused racing on March 20, so Castellano stayed in New York.

Updates via Twitter

“After being in New York with my family last week, I was asked by Gulfstream to come early to Florida to get tested for the virus,” Castellano revealed on Twitter.

“I was asymptomatic all along. Unfortunately the test came back last night as positive. I am otherwise healthy but will follow the doctors.”

When Castellano is in Florida, he resides with his elderly mother. He is reportedly concerned that he spent three days with her recently.

Gulfstream is one of the racecourses owned by the Stronach Group. They have instituted a number of safety and social distancing measures at their tracks.

These measures include gloves for all riders, as well as daily temperature checks for all riders.