Bracciale remembered for riding talent, dedication to jockey colony

Vincent “Jimbo” Bracciale Jr., a nationally recognized jockey who spent the majority of his distinguished riding career in Maryland before transitioning to training in the early 1990s, will be remembered not only for his talent and success in the saddle, but for his unwavering dedication to the jockey colony. Bracciale passed away on December 15 at the age of 72.

Bracciale began his riding career in the early 1970s and quickly made his mark, becoming Maryland’s leading apprentice jockey and capturing multiple riding titles at meets throughout the state. Over a career that spanned two decades, he recorded 3,545 victories from 20,291 starts, with his mounts earning more than $37.8 million in purse money. He stepped away from riding in 1990, though he returned briefly for a single mount in 1995.

While Maryland was his home base, Bracciale competed successfully throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, riding at tracks including Garden State Park, Atlantic City Race Course, Delaware Park, Keystone Racetrack, and New York Racing Association venues.

“He came from the Charles Town area but was a Maryland mainstay for many, many years,” said Georganne Hale, Director of Racing Development for The Maryland Jockey Club. Hale served as paddock judge during Bracciale’s riding career and later as racing secretary when he trained. “His aunt, Helen, worked for the MJC. He picked up mounts on some very talented, accomplished horses in Maryland and at other tracks along the East Coast, and he did very well.”

Among Bracciale’s most notable victories were wins aboard Broad Brush in the Grade I Wood Memorial Invitational in 1986, Majesty’s Prince in the Grade I Man o’ War Stakes in 1984, I’m Splendid in the Grade I Selima Stakes in 1985, and Weber City Miss in the Grade II Black-Eyed Susan Stakes in 1980. He also rode Broad Brush to a third-place finish in the 1986 Grade I Kentucky Derby.

In 1974, Bracciale was given the opportunity to ride the legendary 2-year-old filly Ruffian on two occasions while jockey Jacinto Vásquez was serving suspensions. He won both the Grade III Astoria Stakes at Aqueduct and the Grade I Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga aboard the Eclipse Award-winning filly.

The son of a jockey, Bracciale amassed approximately 40 graded stakes victories during his career, including multiple wins aboard the popular Maryland-bred sprinter Dave’s Friend, who won 35 races from 76 starts.

After retiring from riding, Bracciale turned to training, winning 31 races from 318 starts with earnings of $566,000. His final career victory came in February 2024 at Laurel Park, when Square Slice—ridden by Forest Boyce for Trott Racing Stable and Five Sisters Farm—found the winner’s circle.

Beyond his accomplishments on the track, Bracciale was widely respected for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of fellow riders. A Maryland director of the Jockeys’ Guild, he was known as a tough, principled, and deeply committed representative of the jockey colony.

“I very much looked up to him,” said Bobby Lillis, a member of the Maryland Racing Commission who rode during Bracciale’s era. “He was always concerned about the jockeys in the room and their health and welfare. He was a stand-up guy—and of course, very talented.

“He also made it a point to help young riders,” Lillis added. “He would point out what he thought we were doing wrong. At the time, many journeymen didn’t want to share their secrets. I mentioned that to him once, and he said, ‘If I have to ride with you, I want to know you know what you’re doing. It’s about safety.’ He gave advice because he cared.”

The Maryland Jockey Club will hold a special tribute in Bracciale’s honor prior to the second race at Laurel Park on Saturday, December 20.

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