Rematch in the Air: Javier Castellano Breaks Silence on Breeders’ Cup Brawl with Calvin Borel—“It Never Ended”
In a revelation that has reignited one of horse racing’s most notorious off-track altercations, Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano has finally spoken out—years later—about the infamous locker room brawl with fellow legend Calvin Borel during the 2010 Breeders’ Cup. And in his own words: “It never ended.”
The air at Saratoga this weekend may have been charged with thunderous gallops and million-dollar finishes, but it was Castellano’s quiet, calculated comments in a recent podcast interview that stole the thunder. Speaking for the first time in detail, the multiple Eclipse Award winner opened up about the explosive altercation that erupted behind closed doors, moments after a heated on-track exchange during the Breeders’ Cup Marathon—a confrontation that escalated into physical violence in the jockeys’ locker room, and stunned the racing world.
“The race was intense, sure. Tempers flared. But it was what happened afterward that left the scar,” Castellano said. “People think it was just a fight… but it was personal. Borel came at me swinging. There was no time to talk. I was defending myself.”
At the time, the footage of a visibly enraged Calvin Borel lunging toward Castellano with clenched fists made national headlines and stained what was otherwise one of the sport’s most glamorous weekends. The incident went viral, with Borel needing to be physically restrained by fellow jockeys. But for more than a decade, the details remained clouded in secrecy, both men staying tight-lipped—until now.
What makes Castellano’s recent comments all the more explosive is his refusal to declare closure. “I’ve moved forward professionally,” he said, “but between me and Calvin? It was never really finished. People don’t forget. And neither do I.”
These words have sent shockwaves through the horse racing community, especially given that both Castellano and Borel remain highly visible, respected figures in the sport—each with Hall of Fame status and still appearing at elite meets across the country. As chatter mounts about both men appearing at Saratoga this summer, fans and insiders alike are wondering: is a reunion imminent? And if so, will it be civil, or combustible?
Veteran trainer Dale Romans didn’t hold back. “You can’t put two alphas like that in the same space and expect nothing to happen. If they’re both at Saratoga, someone better reinforce the walls in the jockeys’ room.”
For younger fans who may not have followed the drama back in 2010, the story reads like a forgotten chapter of racing’s underground folklore—a reminder that even the most disciplined athletes are still, at their core, fiercely competitive men with raw emotions. Both Castellano and Borel have built reputations as fierce yet professional competitors. But beneath the respect lies history—and clearly, some resentment.
Social media, unsurprisingly, has exploded. One viral tweet reads: “If Castellano and Borel both ride at Saratoga this month, you best believe it’ll be the real main event.” Another fan quipped: “Forget Travers Stakes. Give us Castellano vs Borel: Round 2.”
While there’s no official word on whether the two Hall of Famers will share a paddock this summer, the tension is undeniable—and likely to draw even more eyes to the already electric Saratoga meet.
For now, the only certainty is this: the past isn’t dead. It’s galloping back toward the spotlight. And if Castellano’s words are any indication, the rematch isn’t just in the air—it’s practically scheduled.
