The New York Times reported he had recently said that the highlight of his career came on December 7, 1964, when he won six races in one day at Aqueduct Racetrack.
But his uncle, Michael Venezia, a Sergeant in the United States Army was killed in action while fighting in Germany on April 18, 1945, so when the telegram announcing the tragic event arrived just after the birth, the name was changed to Michael in honor of the fallen uncle.
[1] He was survived by his wife, Helene, son, Michael Edward, and daughter, Alison.
Annually since 1989, the New York Racing Association provides the Mike Venezia Memorial Award to a rider who exemplifies extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship.
This American horse racing biographical article is a stub.