Victor Espinoza Wins with Arabian

Hall of Fame Jockey Victor Espinosa may have thought he’d done it all, but he actually added a new ability to his resume on April 1, 2017 – that of riding an Arabian racehorse.

Espinoza, well known for his partnerships with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and Dubai World Cup winner California Chrome, rides regularly at Santa Anita so it seemed fitting that he take the mount on Darley Horse of the Year Paddys Day in the Grade 1, $100,000 HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Award S.

The 6-year-old bay stallion stalked the leaders along the inside, made a bid 2-wide in the far turn, dueled briefly with eventual runner-up Easter Man, and pulled away to win by 3 ½ lengths. Sand Victor, who along with Easter Man is owned by Joe and Betty Gillis and trained by Terri Eaton, finished third. Paddys Day is owned by Quarter Moon Ranch and trained by Scott Powell.

Following the win, Espinoza said, “In 20 to 30 years I thought I had ridden them all, but this was my first ever experience with an Arabian horse. He did not give up just like a thoroughbred horse. It was just that the pace was a bit slower. This horse was full of run going into the far turn,” he continued. “We just had to find a way through. It’s an honor to be a part of this race.”

The race was sponsored by the Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival. This was its second running. In addition to sponsoring this grade 1 race, the Festival also donated $100,000 to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

For more information contact Stephanie Ruff Corum, Arabian Finish Line, 717-860-6976 or sjcorum@arabianfinishline.com