Zona de Azar Argentina – The World of Jockeys and Million-Dollar Investments in Horse Racing
Argentina – November 8, 2024 www.zonadeazar.com. The starting gate at the San Isidro Racetrack is buzzing. The sky is clear, and in the first race of the day, jockeys compete with fillies that have never won before. Awaiting the winner at the 1,400 meters of turf is a prize of $4.29 million. Some horses were trained on-site in the stables and practice track, while others arrived directly from rural farms. Many of the fillies are debutants, and their inexperience in racing sets the pace at the start.
“One minute, we’re ready,” says Gonzalo, the starter and referee of the race, over the radio.
“All set, gentlemen!” calls the starter. “Let’s go with number 1. Don’t crowd. Let’s go with number 2,” he continues as he fills the 14 slots in the starting gate. A dozen handlers in safety vests and helmets assist the jockeys as they guide the horses into their assigned positions. They resemble rescue workers, facing the risk of powerful kicks.
One jockey dismounts as his filly squirms nervously and threatens to kick. A weighted blanket quickly calms her. A jockey in a pink jacket gets hit by his horse’s constant bucking. The handler running beside him holds the lead rope firmly and steadies the horse. They guide it to box number 10, the last one to close, and quickly clear the gate—any small misstep in coordination could lead to an accident.
The gates open, and all fillies bolt without hesitation. Despite being new to racing, they shoot off. The colorful array of jockey uniforms contrasts with the trees and green oval turf. At top speed, the jockeys dig in their boots, clinging with their 57 kilos to the half-ton of equine muscle beneath them. They cluster together at first, then spread out, seeking open spaces to gain an edge. It’s 400, 800, over 1,000 meters. Time rules all, determining the outcome in the final stretch.
The “Atractiva Girl” prize was just the first of the 15 races held at the San Isidro Racetrack on October 18. With a time of 1 minute and 20 seconds, jockey Brian Rodrigo Enrique and the filly Doña Enigma claimed victory. Racing is constant on the turf circuit, taking place daily in Palermo, San Isidro, La Plata, and other locations across Argentina. The same applies to the training of jockeys and preparation of the horses.
The routine forces jockeys to spend their lives on the circuit. Losing is far more common than winning, and only a select few jockeys reach success. The struggle to control their weight often leads to running while dehydrated. Injuries are frequent, and risk is part of life. What drives them to ride? Prestige and passion, repeat the jockeys as their mantra.
The horse racing industry generates a slim profit margin for stable owners due to high costs and low attendance. It’s an “expensive hobby” for investors, who must spend thousands of dollars on purchasing and maintaining a racehorse.
Behind every horse that enters a racetrack, on average, ten people are involved: a whole resource system that doesn’t stop. In Argentina, there are 420,943 Thoroughbred (SPC) horses, according to the Argentine Stud Book. This activity supports trainers, breeders, veterinarians, and stable workers, among other essential participants, ensuring that the jockey and horse reach the gate on the scheduled day and time. This hidden world was brought to the forefront by the Argentine film El Jockey by Luis Ortega, selected as Argentina’s entry for the Oscars. Source: La Nación
Editor: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com
