Our questions are answered by the hugely popular veteran jockey who holds the all-time record for prize-money earnings
John Velazquez, a product of Puerto Rico’s famed jockey academy, has graduated to the highest echelons of his sport.
He moved to New York in 1990 where the legendary Angel Cordero took him under his wing. They have been close friends ever since as Velazquez has progressed into becoming one of the world’s most in-demand jockeys.
The two-time Eclipse Award winner, who was inducted into the US Hall Of Fame in 2012, is North America’s all-time leading jockey by earnings, which now approach $500 million – and he is still adding to his list of glittering accomplishments.
The 53-year-old has three Kentucky Derby wins plus 21 wins at the Breeders’ Cup, while on the world stage he has recorded four wins at Royal Ascot. In February he steered his latest Breeders’ Cup winner Straight No Chaser to victory in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint at the Saudi Cup meeting
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Which racing figure, past or present do you most admire?
Angel Cordero (right) taught me everything I know. I rode with him when I came to New York. He was still riding then so we rode together for two years. Then in 1992 was when we had an accident, both of us, and he had to retire that year. He was a mentor and he has been like a father to me since I arrived in New York 35 years ago.
What is your favorite venue and race anywhere in the world?
I like to go everywhere and I’ve been very lucky to travel the world between England, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Japan, but at home the biggest race for me and us in the United States is the Kentucky Derby. It’s very well known and I’ve been lucky enough to win it four times, three officially.
My favourite racecourse has got to be Saratoga. It’s local and very family-oriented, so from the very young kids to older people get to enjoy the races. It’s a special place.
Who is your favourite racehorse and why?
That’s a tough one because I have been very lucky to ride so many good horses in so many big races. But I would say one of my favourites would be Wise Dan. He was Horse of the Year in the United States twice. He travelled the entire country, including Canada, and he won the Breeders’ Cup Mile two years back-to-back. He was a very special horse on the turf but he could also run on the dirt and on Polytrack. He was a very versatile horse.
What is your fondest memory in horse racing?
I’ve been blessed at being able to ride in so many good races. But, after having so much success in my career it took me until I was 39 years old to win my first Kentucky Derby. So I have to say that is my fondest memory, winning on Animal Kingdom. I was absolutely frustrated with my record up to that point. Looking back on my career up to then I had won so many preps for the Kentucky Derby with a lot of good horses that I thought had very good chances.
But the Derby is the Derby and not always does the best horse win. I went there many times with what I thought was a good horse. I picked up the ride on Animal Kingdom only at the last minute. I had never ridden the horse before. The day before I was on Uncle Mo, who was meant to be the favourite, but he was scratched and I won the race with a pick-up mount. It was incredible to be a part of it when I didn’t think I would ride in the race at all.
If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be?
That is the million-dollar question. I think the whole industry needs to come together and promote racing the right way. We miss a lot of boats. We don’t get together and promote racing the way other sports do; we don’t do our best. I think we put our dirty laundry out more than we put the good news into our business. That’s the problem.
John Velazquez was speaking to Jon Lees
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