Following is a statement, issued today (June 13, 2013) by Ramon Dominguez:
“Riding thoroughbreds has always been my passion and my calling. When I was 13 and watched my first horse race in Venezuela , I knew that I would become a jockey, and my riding career has brought happiness and success beyond what I ever expected.
Thus, it is extremely difficult for me to announce that due to the severity of the injuries I sustained in an accident at Aqueduct Racetrack on January 18, 2013, my professional riding career has come to an end. While I hoped and even expected to be able to return to the saddle, as a result of my injuries and upon the advice of my treating physicians, it has been determined that I will no longer be able to pursue my career as a jockey.
I want to personally thank my family, fans, and fellow riders for overwhelming support in the months since my accident. I chose to make this statement to end speculation about my future, but I am not yet ready to speak publicly. I will come forward on my own, but in the meantime I ask that you please respect my privacy as I continue my recovery.”
Sad day - I used to love to watch him stalk down the backstretch; high in the saddle, five or six wide. Approaching the far turn, you could see him settle, lower and lower, and then break out of the turn, running down all comers in the final stretch.
Take a look at Ramon (above) tying the record for most wins in a single day at Saratoga - you can see his stalking style. Notice too, his restrained use of the crop. Ramon is said to have "great hands", a term used to describe jockeys who have 6th sense relationships with a horse. When other jocks had trouble with a difficult mount, astute trainers would put Ramon in the irons. He would climb aboard, and the horse would be immediately calm. Horses ran for Ramon. This partnership with the animal resulted in three Eclypse Awards, recognition of his status as one of the winningest jockeys in the business.
Aside from his skills as a jockey, Ramon is a truly humble and admirable individual. He lives in Queens, a working class borough in New York City. He drives a Chevy. He's a committed husband and father. And he's rich. That fact has nothing to do with how he lives his life; his 'great hands' seem to be as much an attitude and point of view as an equine skill. Those hands, it would seem, reach far beyond the race course.
Javier Castellano, a compatriot of Ramon's (and no stranger the winner's circle himself) said this today: "There really are no words to say how difficult this day is for me. Ramon Dominguez is one of my closest and dearest friends. He is a champion both on and off the track. He is one of the best riders that I have had the pleasure to be around but in addition he is a wonderful father, husband, and humanitarian. I will miss seeing him all of the time at the track, but I am so happy that he has his health and can have a long and happy life. So to my friend...Ramon, you are always in my thoughts and prayers, and I will be here for you whenever you need me. All the best from this day forward..."
Saratoga won't be the same this year.
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