Joe Talamo, who has not ridden since Oct. 4, 2024 and has worked of late as an analyst for FanDuel TV, will end his retirement at the start of the Fair Grounds meet, which begins Nov. 19The news was released on X by Ron Faucheux, who will be his agent.“Seventeen years ago, a 17-year-old bug boy from Marrero named Joe Talamo became the first apprentice to win a riding title at Fair Grounds,” Faucheux wrote on the social media platform. “This winter, that same jockey, now an Eclipse Award winner with over twenty-three hundred career victories and [a] Breeders' Cup win, will return home. I'll be proud to represent him at the meet. Welcome home, Smokin' Joe.”Talamo, 36, won an Eclipse Award in 2007 as the nation's top apprentice jockey. He has piled up 2,343 career wins and earnings of $131,993,351.He has won many prestigious races, including the GI Shadwell Turf Mile, the GI Santa Anita Handicap, the GI Shoemaker Mile and the 2009 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint with California Flag (Avenue of Flags).There is one late addition that needs to be added to this list. Seventeen years ago, a seventeen year old bug boy from Marrero named Joe Talamo became the first apprentice to win a riding title at Fair Grounds. This winter, that same jockey, now an Eclipse Award winner with over twenty-three hundred career victories and Breeders' Cup win will return home. I'll be proud to represent him at the meet. Welcome home, Smokin' Joe. @JoeTalamo @fairgroundsnola @FanDuel_Racing— Ron Faucheux (@FaucheuxRacing) November 10, 2026The post Joe Talamo Ends Retirement, Will Ride at Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.