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{{about|the jockey|the Medal of Honor recipient|Victor H. Espinoza}}
{{About|the jockey|the Medal of Honor recipient|Victor H. Espinoza}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox horseracing personality
{{Infobox horseracing personality
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|death_date =
|death_date =
|career wins = 3,200+ (ongoing)
|career wins = 3,200+ (ongoing)
|race = [[Moccasin Stakes]] (1996, 2000)<br />[[Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes]] (1999)<br />[[Hollywood Gold Cup]] (2000, 2015)<br />[[Del Mar Mile Handicap|Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap]]<br>(2000, 2001, 2004)<br />[[Del Mar Futurity]] (2001, 2004, 2006, 2014)<br />[[Sham Stakes]] (2001, 2005, 2006, 2017)<br />[[Wood Memorial Stakes]] (2001)<br />[[Providencia Stakes]] (2001, 2008, 2009)<br />[[Haskell Invitational Handicap]] (2002, 2015)<br />[[San Diego Handicap]]<br>(2003, 2004, 2005, 2013, 2016, 2017)<br />[[Gamely Stakes]] (2006, 2015)<br />[[Delta Jackpot Stakes]] (2004)<br />[[Sunshine Millions Classic]] (2004)<br />[[Pimlico Special]] (2004)<br />[[Thunder Road Handicap]] (2004, 2006, 2015)<br />[[Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap]] (2005)<br />[[Arlington Million]] (2006)<br />[[CashCall Mile Invitational Stakes]] (2006)<br />[[Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes|C. L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship]] (2006)<br />[[Lane's End Breeders' Futurity]] (2006)<br />[[WinStar Derby]] (2006, 2007)<br />[[Las Flores Handicap]] (2006, 2008)<br />[[La Cañada Stakes]] (2001, 2007, 2014)<br />[[San Felipe Stakes]] (2007, 2014)<br />[[Winstar Oaks]] (2006, 2007, 2009, 2015)<br />[[A Gleam Invitational Handicap]]<br>(2003, 2006, 2007, 2010)<br />[[Potrero Grande Handicap|Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup Handicap]] (2008)<br />[[California Cup Distance Handicap]] (2008)<br />[[Tuzla Handicap]] (2008)<br />[[Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes]] (2010)<br />[[Del Mar Handicap]] (2011, 2013)<br />[[Santa Anita Derby]] (2011, 2014, 2017)<br />[[FrontRunner Stakes]] (2014, 2016)<br />[[Arkansas Derby]] (2015)<br />[[Rebel Stakes]] (2015)
|race = [[Moccasin Stakes]] (1996, 2000)<br />[[Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes]] (1999)<br />[[Hollywood Gold Cup]] (2000, 2015)<br />[[Del Mar Mile Handicap|Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap]]<br/>(2000, 2001, 2004)<br />[[Del Mar Futurity]] (2001, 2004, 2006, 2014)<br />[[Sham Stakes]] (2001, 2005, 2006, 2017)<br />[[Wood Memorial Stakes]] (2001)<br />[[Providencia Stakes]] (2001, 2008, 2009)<br />[[Haskell Invitational Handicap]] (2002, 2015)<br />[[San Diego Handicap]]<br/>(2003, 2004, 2005, 2013, 2016, 2017)<br />[[Gamely Stakes]] (2006, 2015)<br />[[Delta Jackpot Stakes]] (2004)<br />[[Sunshine Millions Classic]] (2004)<br />[[Pimlico Special]] (2004)<br />[[Thunder Road Handicap]] (2004, 2006, 2015)<br />[[Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap]] (2005)<br />[[Arlington Million]] (2006)<br />[[CashCall Mile Invitational Stakes]] (2006)<br />[[Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes|C. L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship]] (2006)<br />[[Lane's End Breeders' Futurity]] (2006)<br />[[WinStar Derby]] (2006, 2007)<br />[[Las Flores Handicap]] (2006, 2008)<br />[[La Cañada Stakes]] (2001, 2007, 2014)<br />[[San Felipe Stakes]] (2007, 2014)<br />[[Winstar Oaks]] (2006, 2007, 2009, 2015)<br />[[A Gleam Invitational Handicap]]<br/>(2003, 2006, 2007, 2010)<br />[[Potrero Grande Handicap|Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup Handicap]] (2008)<br />[[California Cup Distance Handicap]] (2008)<br />[[Tuzla Handicap]] (2008)<br />[[Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes]] (2010)<br />[[Del Mar Handicap]] (2011, 2013)<br />[[Santa Anita Derby]] (2011, 2014, 2017)<br />[[FrontRunner Stakes]] (2014, 2016)<br />[[Arkansas Derby]] (2015)<br />[[Rebel Stakes]] (2015)


'''[[American Classic Races|American Classics]] wins'''<br />[[Kentucky Derby]] (2002, 2014, 2015)<br />[[Preakness Stakes]] (2002, 2014, 2015)<br />[[Belmont Stakes]] (2015)<br />[[United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|United States Triple Crown]] (2015)
'''[[American Classic Races|American Classics]] wins'''<br />[[Kentucky Derby]] (2002, 2014, 2015)<br />[[Preakness Stakes]] (2002, 2014, 2015)<br />[[Belmont Stakes]] (2015)<br />[[United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|United States Triple Crown]] (2015)


'''[[Breeders' Cup]] wins'''<br />[[Breeders' Cup Distaff]] (2000)<br />[[Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies]] (2014)<br />[[Breeders' Cup Classic]] (2015)
'''[[Breeders' Cup]] wins'''<br />[[Breeders' Cup Distaff]] (2000)<br />[[Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies]] (2014)<br />[[Breeders' Cup Classic]] (2015)



'''International wins'''<br />[[Dubai Golden Shaheen]] (2015)<br />[[Windsor Castle Stakes]] (UK, 2014) <br /> [[Dubai World Cup]] (2016)
'''International wins'''<br />[[Dubai Golden Shaheen]] (2015)<br />[[Windsor Castle Stakes]] (UK, 2014) <br /> [[Dubai World Cup]] (2016)
|awards = [[ESPY Awards|ESPY Award for Best Jockey]] (2002, 2014, 2015)<br />[[George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award]] (2016)
|awards = [[ESPY Awards|ESPY Award for Best Jockey]] (2002, 2014, 2015)<br />[[George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award]] (2016)
|honours = [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame]] (2017)
|honours = [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame]] (2017)
|horses = [[War Emblem]], [[Peace Rules]], [[Behaving Badly (horse)|Behaving Badly]],<br />[[California Chrome]], [[Congaree (horse)|Congaree]]<br />[[Declan's Moon]], [[The Tin Man (American horse)|The Tin Man]], [[American Pharoah]], [[Bob and John]], [[Secret Circle (horse)|Secret Circle]], [[Take Charge Brandi]], [[ Stellar Wind]], [[Gormley (horse)|Gormley]], [[Bolt d'Oro]]
|horses = [[War Emblem]], [[Peace Rules]], [[Behaving Badly (horse)|Behaving Badly]],<br />[[California Chrome]], [[Congaree (horse)|Congaree]]<br />[[Declan's Moon]], [[The Tin Man (American horse)|The Tin Man]], [[American Pharoah]], [[Bob and John]], [[Secret Circle (horse)|Secret Circle]], [[Take Charge Brandi]], [[Stellar Wind]], [[Gormley (horse)|Gormley]], [[Bolt d'Oro]]
|updated = Apr. 11, 2018
|updated = Apr. 11, 2018
}}
}}
'''Victor Espinoza''' (born May 23, 1972) is a [[jockey]] in American [[Thoroughbred horse race|Thoroughbred horse racing]] who won the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)|Triple Crown]] in 2015 on [[American Pharoah]]. He began riding in his native Mexico and went on to compete at racetracks in California. He has won the [[Kentucky Derby]] three times, riding [[War Emblem]] in 2002, [[California Chrome]] in 2014, and [[American Pharoah]] in 2015. He also won the [[Preakness Stakes]] three times, in those same years and with the same horses. He was the first jockey in history to enter the Belmont Stakes with a third opportunity to win the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)|Triple Crown]]<ref name=PreaknessNBC>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcsports.com/horse-racing/victor-espinoza-will-look-triple-crown-third-time|title=Victor Espinoza will look for Triple Crown for a third time|author=|date=|work=NBC Sports|accessdate=May 17, 2015}}</ref>; his 2015 victory made him the oldest jockey and first Hispanic jockey to win the award.<ref>{{Cite web|title = American Pharoah completes the Triple Crown, wins Belmont Stakes|url = http://www.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/25206477/belmont-stakes-live-blog-can-american-pharoah-win-triple-crown|accessdate = 2015-06-06}}</ref>
'''Victor Espinoza''' (born May 23, 1972) is a [[jockey]] in American [[Thoroughbred horse race|Thoroughbred horse racing]] who won the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)|Triple Crown]] in 2015 on [[American Pharoah]]. He began riding in his native Mexico and went on to compete at racetracks in California. He has won the [[Kentucky Derby]] three times, riding [[War Emblem]] in 2002, [[California Chrome]] in 2014, and [[American Pharoah]] in 2015. He also won the [[Preakness Stakes]] three times, in those same years and with the same horses. He was the first jockey in history to enter the Belmont Stakes with a third opportunity to win the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)|Triple Crown]];<ref name=PreaknessNBC>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcsports.com/horse-racing/victor-espinoza-will-look-triple-crown-third-time|title=Victor Espinoza will look for Triple Crown for a third time|author=|date=|work=NBC Sports|accessdate=May 17, 2015}}</ref> his 2015 victory made him the oldest jockey and first Hispanic jockey to win the award.<ref>{{Cite web|title = American Pharoah completes the Triple Crown, wins Belmont Stakes|url = http://www.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/25206477/belmont-stakes-live-blog-can-american-pharoah-win-triple-crown|accessdate = 2015-06-06}}</ref>


==Background and early career==
==Background and early career==
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[[File:American Pharoah.jpg|thumb|left|American Pharoah with Victor Espinoza up]]
[[File:American Pharoah.jpg|thumb|left|American Pharoah with Victor Espinoza up]]
[[File:California Chrome Los Alamitos Dec 2016 07.jpg|thumb|left|Espinoza on California Chrome after winning the 2016 Winter Challenge Stakes at Los Alamitos]]
[[File:California Chrome Los Alamitos Dec 2016 07.jpg|thumb|left|Espinoza on California Chrome after winning the 2016 Winter Challenge Stakes at Los Alamitos]]
{{main article|California Chrome|American Pharoah}}
{{main|California Chrome|American Pharoah}}
Espinoza became the first jockey in history to get three opportunities to win the Triple Crown<ref name=PreaknessNBC/> and earned back-to-back wins with [[California Chrome]] and [[American Pharoah]] in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, only the sixth jockey in history to do so.<ref name=Harris2June>{{cite web|last1=Harris|first1=Beth|title=Belmont Stakes 2015: Victor Espinoza confident American Pharoah can win elusive Triple Crown|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/belmont-stakes-2015-victor-espinoza-confident-american-pharoah-can-win-elusive-triple-crown/story-fnibcaa0-1227380226784|website=Herald-Sun/Associated Press|accessdate=June 4, 2015|date=June 2, 2015}}</ref>
Espinoza became the first jockey in history to get three opportunities to win the Triple Crown<ref name=PreaknessNBC/> and earned back-to-back wins with [[California Chrome]] and [[American Pharoah]] in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, only the sixth jockey in history to do so.<ref name=Harris2June>{{cite web|last1=Harris|first1=Beth|title=Belmont Stakes 2015: Victor Espinoza confident American Pharoah can win elusive Triple Crown|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/belmont-stakes-2015-victor-espinoza-confident-american-pharoah-can-win-elusive-triple-crown/story-fnibcaa0-1227380226784|website=Herald-Sun/Associated Press|accessdate=June 4, 2015|date=June 2, 2015}}</ref>


In December 2013<ref name=philly>{{cite web |url=http://articles.philly.com/2014-06-06/sports/50362600_1_california-chrome-belmont-stakes-kent-desormeaux|title=Espinoza has California Chrome on winning track|first=Dick|last=Jerardi|date=June 6, 2014|accessdate=June 9, 2014|publisher=[[Philadelphia Media Network|philly.com]]}}</ref> Espinoza was selected as the jockey for [[California Chrome]] by veteran horse trainer [[Art Sherman]], who had used him as a jockey during Espinoza's years in Northern California.<ref name=post/> Up to that point, California Chrome had won only 2 of his 6 starts.<ref name=philly/> Espinoza rode California Chrome to consecutive victories in the King Glorious Stakes on December 22,<ref name=philly/> the California Cup Derby on January 25, 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?BORP=P&STYLE=EQB&DAY=D&tid=SA&dt=01/25/2014&ctry=USA&race=10 |title=Santa Anita Park- January 25, 2014 – Race 10 | format=PDF |publisher=Equibase |date=January 25, 2014 |accessdate=April 8, 2014}}</ref> the [[San Felipe Stakes]] on March 8,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?BORP=P&STYLE=EQB&DAY=D&tid=SA&dt=03/08/2014&ctry=USA&race=5 |title=Santa Anita Park- March 8, 2014 – Race 5 | format=PDF |publisher=Equibase |date=March 8, 2014 |accessdate=April 8, 2014}}</ref> and the [[Santa Anita Derby]] on April 5.<ref>{{cite web|title=Trainers|url=http://www.santaanita.com/the-park/our-crowd/trainers|publisher=Santa Anita Park|accessdate=May 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403062407/http://www.santaanita.com/the-park/our-crowd/trainers|archive-date=April 3, 2014|dead-url=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.belmontstakes.com/story/2014/06/04/california-chrome-looks-to-shine-again-in-grade-1-1.5-million-belmont-stakes/|title=California Chrome Looks to Shine Again in Grade 1, $1.5&nbsp;million Belmont Stakes|first=Phil|last=Janack|year=2014|publisher=[[New York Racing Association]]|accessdate=June 9, 2014}}</ref> On May 3, 2014, Espinoza lengthened the winning streak as he rode California Chrome to victory in the Kentucky Derby, marking the jockey's second Kentucky Derby win.<ref name=Layden15May/> On May 17, California Chrome placed first in the Preakness Stakes, also Espinoza's second Preakness win.<ref name=nyt>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/sports/california-chrome-wins-the-preakness-stakes.html?_r=0|title=California Chrome Wins Preakness for Second Jewel|first=Joe|last=Drape|date=May 17, 2014|accessdate=June 2, 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> On June 7, Espinoza's 6 for 6 streak aboard California Chrome came to an end when, due to an injury sustained right out of the starting gate, the Triple Crown contender finished in a dead heat for fourth place in the Belmont Stakes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/sports/tonalist-wins-belmont-stakes-denying-triple-crown-for-california-chrome.html|title=Tonalist Wins Belmont Stakes, Denying the Triple Crown for California Chrome|first=Melissa|last=Hoppert|work=The New York Times|date=June 7, 2014|accessdate=June 7, 2014}}</ref>
In December 2013<ref name=philly>{{cite web |url=http://articles.philly.com/2014-06-06/sports/50362600_1_california-chrome-belmont-stakes-kent-desormeaux|title=Espinoza has California Chrome on winning track|first=Dick|last=Jerardi|date=June 6, 2014|accessdate=June 9, 2014|publisher=[[Philadelphia Media Network|philly.com]]}}</ref> Espinoza was selected as the jockey for [[California Chrome]] by veteran horse trainer [[Art Sherman]], who had used him as a jockey during Espinoza's years in Northern California.<ref name=post/> Up to that point, California Chrome had won only 2 of his 6 starts.<ref name=philly/> Espinoza rode California Chrome to consecutive victories in the King Glorious Stakes on December 22,<ref name=philly/> the California Cup Derby on January 25, 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?BORP=P&STYLE=EQB&DAY=D&tid=SA&dt=01/25/2014&ctry=USA&race=10 |title=Santa Anita Park- January 25, 2014 – Race 10 | format=PDF |publisher=Equibase |date=January 25, 2014 |accessdate=April 8, 2014}}</ref> the [[San Felipe Stakes]] on March 8,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?BORP=P&STYLE=EQB&DAY=D&tid=SA&dt=03/08/2014&ctry=USA&race=5 |title=Santa Anita Park- March 8, 2014 – Race 5 | format=PDF |publisher=Equibase |date=March 8, 2014 |accessdate=April 8, 2014}}</ref> and the [[Santa Anita Derby]] on April 5.<ref>{{cite web|title=Trainers|url=http://www.santaanita.com/the-park/our-crowd/trainers|publisher=Santa Anita Park|accessdate=May 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403062407/http://www.santaanita.com/the-park/our-crowd/trainers|archive-date=April 3, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.belmontstakes.com/story/2014/06/04/california-chrome-looks-to-shine-again-in-grade-1-1.5-million-belmont-stakes/|title=California Chrome Looks to Shine Again in Grade 1, $1.5&nbsp;million Belmont Stakes|first=Phil|last=Janack|year=2014|publisher=[[New York Racing Association]]|accessdate=June 9, 2014}}</ref> On May 3, 2014, Espinoza lengthened the winning streak as he rode California Chrome to victory in the Kentucky Derby, marking the jockey's second Kentucky Derby win.<ref name=Layden15May/> On May 17, California Chrome placed first in the Preakness Stakes, also Espinoza's second Preakness win.<ref name=nyt>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/sports/california-chrome-wins-the-preakness-stakes.html?_r=0|title=California Chrome Wins Preakness for Second Jewel|first=Joe|last=Drape|date=May 17, 2014|accessdate=June 2, 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> On June 7, Espinoza's 6 for 6 streak aboard California Chrome came to an end when, due to an injury sustained right out of the starting gate, the Triple Crown contender finished in a dead heat for fourth place in the Belmont Stakes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/sports/tonalist-wins-belmont-stakes-denying-triple-crown-for-california-chrome.html|title=Tonalist Wins Belmont Stakes, Denying the Triple Crown for California Chrome|first=Melissa|last=Hoppert|work=The New York Times|date=June 7, 2014|accessdate=June 7, 2014}}</ref>


In the fall of 2014, Espinoza also became the regular rider of American Pharoah, trained by [[Bob Baffert]] and owned by [[Ahmed Zayat]]. Espinoza started with the colt's second race, the [[Graded stakes race|Grade I]] [[Del Mar Futurity]] on September 4.<ref name=EquibaseAmPh>{{cite web|title=American Pharoah|url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=9314281&registry=T|website=Equibase|accessdate=5 May 2015}}</ref> The pair went on to win the [[FrontRunner Stakes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/horses/result_home.sd?race_id=611281&r_date=2014-09-27&popup=yes#results_top_tabs=re_&results_bottom_tabs=ANALYSIS|title=FrontRunner Stakes result|date=27 September 2014|work=racingpost.com}}</ref> The colt was scratched from the [[Breeders' Cup Juvenile]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/88333/american-pharoah-out-of-bc-juvenile|title=American Pharoah Out of BC Juvenile|author=Claire Novak|date=28 October 2014|work=BloodHorse.com}}</ref> but the pair reunited in 2015 with wins in the [[Rebel Stakes]] and [[Arkansas Derby]]<ref name=EquibaseAmPh/> American Pharoah and Espinoza then won the [[2015 Kentucky Derby]]<ref name=KentuckyDerbyChart>{{cite web|title=Churchill Downs - Race 11 -May 2, 2015|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=05/02/2015&cy=USA&rn=11|website=Equibase|accessdate= May 5, 2015}}</ref> After the win, Espinoza said, "I feel like the luckiest Mexican on earth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91764/favored-american-pharoah-wins-kentucky-derby|title=Favored American Pharoah Wins Kentucky Derby|author=Evan Hammonds|date=3 May 2015|work=BloodHorse.com}}</ref> However, his performance attracted some scrutiny as he struck the horse 32 times with his whip during the race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drf.com/news/preview/espinozas-whip-use-american-pharoah-under-scrutiny|title=Espinoza's whip use on American Pharoah under scrutiny|work=Daily Racing Form}}</ref>Kentucky racing stewards reviewed Espinoza's ride and ruled that his whip use did not violate state regulations.<ref>https://sports.yahoo.com/news/great-debate--did-victor-espinoza-whip-american-pharoah-too-many-times-192407863.html</ref> On May 16, 2015, Espinoza and American Pharoah won the [[2015 Preakness Stakes]] on a sloppy track, setting up Espinoza's third attempt at the Triple Crown.<ref name="Preakness">{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/PIM051615USA13.pdf |title=Pimlico Race 13 May 16, 2015|date=May 16, 2015|accessdate=May 16, 2015|work=Equibase}}</ref> His June 6, 2015, victory at the 2015 Belmont Stakes made him the oldest jockey to win the Triple Crown, as well as the first Latino jockey to do so.<ref name="Almasy">{{cite web|last1=Almasy|first1=Steve|title=American Pharoah becomes first Triple Crown winner in 37 years|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/06/us/belmont-stakes-american-pharoah/|website=CNN|accessdate=June 6, 2015|date=June 6, 2015}}</ref> For 3 years, he held the distinction of being the last jockey, and the oldest, to sweep the Triple Crown until [[Mike Smith (jockey)|Mike Smith]] did it aboard [[Justify (horse)|Justify]] in 2018. On October 31, 2015, Espinoza rode American Pharoah to victory in the Breeder's Cup Classic, becoming the first jockey in history to win horse racing's Grand Slam--the Triple Crown and the Breeder's Cup Classic.
In the fall of 2014, Espinoza also became the regular rider of American Pharoah, trained by [[Bob Baffert]] and owned by [[Ahmed Zayat]]. Espinoza started with the colt's second race, the [[Graded stakes race|Grade I]] [[Del Mar Futurity]] on September 4.<ref name=EquibaseAmPh>{{cite web|title=American Pharoah|url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=9314281&registry=T|website=Equibase|accessdate=5 May 2015}}</ref> The pair went on to win the [[FrontRunner Stakes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/horses/result_home.sd?race_id=611281&r_date=2014-09-27&popup=yes#results_top_tabs=re_&results_bottom_tabs=ANALYSIS|title=FrontRunner Stakes result|date=27 September 2014|work=racingpost.com}}</ref> The colt was scratched from the [[Breeders' Cup Juvenile]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/88333/american-pharoah-out-of-bc-juvenile|title=American Pharoah Out of BC Juvenile|author=Claire Novak|date=28 October 2014|work=BloodHorse.com}}</ref> but the pair reunited in 2015 with wins in the [[Rebel Stakes]] and [[Arkansas Derby]]<ref name=EquibaseAmPh/> American Pharoah and Espinoza then won the [[2015 Kentucky Derby]]<ref name=KentuckyDerbyChart>{{cite web|title=Churchill Downs - Race 11 -May 2, 2015|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=05/02/2015&cy=USA&rn=11|website=Equibase|accessdate= May 5, 2015}}</ref> After the win, Espinoza said, "I feel like the luckiest Mexican on earth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91764/favored-american-pharoah-wins-kentucky-derby|title=Favored American Pharoah Wins Kentucky Derby|author=Evan Hammonds|date=3 May 2015|work=BloodHorse.com}}</ref> However, his performance attracted some scrutiny as he struck the horse 32 times with his whip during the race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drf.com/news/preview/espinozas-whip-use-american-pharoah-under-scrutiny|title=Espinoza's whip use on American Pharoah under scrutiny|work=Daily Racing Form}}</ref> Kentucky racing stewards reviewed Espinoza's ride and ruled that his whip use did not violate state regulations.<ref>https://sports.yahoo.com/news/great-debate--did-victor-espinoza-whip-american-pharoah-too-many-times-192407863.html</ref> On May 16, 2015, Espinoza and American Pharoah won the [[2015 Preakness Stakes]] on a sloppy track, setting up Espinoza's third attempt at the Triple Crown.<ref name="Preakness">{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/PIM051615USA13.pdf |title=Pimlico Race 13 May 16, 2015|date=May 16, 2015|accessdate=May 16, 2015|work=Equibase}}</ref> His June 6, 2015, victory at the 2015 Belmont Stakes made him the oldest jockey to win the Triple Crown, as well as the first Latino jockey to do so.<ref name="Almasy">{{cite web|last1=Almasy|first1=Steve|title=American Pharoah becomes first Triple Crown winner in 37 years|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/06/us/belmont-stakes-american-pharoah/|website=CNN|accessdate=June 6, 2015|date=June 6, 2015}}</ref> For 3 years, he held the distinction of being the last jockey, and the oldest, to sweep the Triple Crown until [[Mike Smith (jockey)|Mike Smith]] did it aboard [[Justify (horse)|Justify]] in 2018. On October 31, 2015, Espinoza rode American Pharoah to victory in the Breeder's Cup Classic, becoming the first jockey in history to win horse racing's Grand Slam—the Triple Crown and the Breeder's Cup Classic.


==Other ventures==
==Other ventures==
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==Accident==
==Accident==
On July 22, 2018, Espinoza was injured when riding Bobby Abu Dhabi at the [[Del Mar racetrack]]. Espinoza suffered a fractured vertebra but was initially expected to make a full recovery. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2018/07/23/legendary-jockey-fractures-vertebra-after-horse-dies-mid-run/|title=Legendary jockey fractures vertebra after horse dies mid-run|date=July 22, 2018|accessdate=July 23, 2018}}</ref> Several weeks after the accident, he continued to have trouble shaving, walking and getting out of bed, and lacks feeling in his left arm. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-victor-espinoza-plaschke-20180818-story.html|title=Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza, his body broken by one fateful fall, is holding on for dear life|date= August 18, 2018|accessdate=August 18, 2018}}</ref> On January 5, 2019, Espinoza returned to riding at the Santa Anita Park.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/231401/victor-espinoza-back-in-the-saddle-at-santa-anita|title=Victor Espinoza Back in the Saddle at Santa Anita|work=BloodHorse.com|access-date=2019-03-21|language=en}}</ref>
On July 22, 2018, Espinoza was injured when riding Bobby Abu Dhabi at the [[Del Mar racetrack]]. Espinoza suffered a fractured vertebra but was initially expected to make a full recovery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2018/07/23/legendary-jockey-fractures-vertebra-after-horse-dies-mid-run/|title=Legendary jockey fractures vertebra after horse dies mid-run|date=July 22, 2018|accessdate=July 23, 2018}}</ref> Several weeks after the accident, he continued to have trouble shaving, walking and getting out of bed, and lacks feeling in his left arm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-victor-espinoza-plaschke-20180818-story.html|title=Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza, his body broken by one fateful fall, is holding on for dear life|date= August 18, 2018|accessdate=August 18, 2018}}</ref> On January 5, 2019, Espinoza returned to riding at the Santa Anita Park.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/231401/victor-espinoza-back-in-the-saddle-at-santa-anita|title=Victor Espinoza Back in the Saddle at Santa Anita|work=BloodHorse.com|access-date=2019-03-21|language=en}}</ref>


==Personal==
==Personal==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 21:48, 18 September 2019

This article is about the jockey. For the Medal of Honor recipient, see Victor H. Espinoza.

Victor Espinoza
Victor Espinoza in 2016
OccupationJockey
Born (1972-05-23) May 23, 1972 (age 52)
Tulancingo, Hidalgo, Mexico
Career wins3,200+ (ongoing)
Major racing wins
Moccasin Stakes (1996, 2000)
Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (1999)
Hollywood Gold Cup (2000, 2015)
Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap
(2000, 2001, 2004)
Del Mar Futurity (2001, 2004, 2006, 2014)
Sham Stakes (2001, 2005, 2006, 2017)
Wood Memorial Stakes (2001)
Providencia Stakes (2001, 2008, 2009)
Haskell Invitational Handicap (2002, 2015)
San Diego Handicap
(2003, 2004, 2005, 2013, 2016, 2017)
Gamely Stakes (2006, 2015)
Delta Jackpot Stakes (2004)
Sunshine Millions Classic (2004)
Pimlico Special (2004)
Thunder Road Handicap (2004, 2006, 2015)
Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (2005)
Arlington Million (2006)
CashCall Mile Invitational Stakes (2006)
C. L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship (2006)
Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (2006)
WinStar Derby (2006, 2007)
Las Flores Handicap (2006, 2008)
La Cañada Stakes (2001, 2007, 2014)
San Felipe Stakes (2007, 2014)
Winstar Oaks (2006, 2007, 2009, 2015)
A Gleam Invitational Handicap
(2003, 2006, 2007, 2010)
Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup Handicap (2008)
California Cup Distance Handicap (2008)
Tuzla Handicap (2008)
Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes (2010)
Del Mar Handicap (2011, 2013)
Santa Anita Derby (2011, 2014, 2017)
FrontRunner Stakes (2014, 2016)
Arkansas Derby (2015)
Rebel Stakes (2015)

American Classics wins
Kentucky Derby (2002, 2014, 2015)
Preakness Stakes (2002, 2014, 2015)
Belmont Stakes (2015)
United States Triple Crown (2015)

Breeders' Cup wins
Breeders' Cup Distaff (2000)
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (2014)
Breeders' Cup Classic (2015)

International wins
Dubai Golden Shaheen (2015)
Windsor Castle Stakes (UK, 2014)
Dubai World Cup (2016)
Racing awards
ESPY Award for Best Jockey (2002, 2014, 2015)
George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award (2016)
Honours
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (2017)
Significant horses
War Emblem, Peace Rules, Behaving Badly,
California Chrome, Congaree
Declan's Moon, The Tin Man, American Pharoah, Bob and John, Secret Circle, Take Charge Brandi, Stellar Wind, Gormley, Bolt d'Oro

Victor Espinoza (born May 23, 1972) is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing who won the Triple Crown in 2015 on American Pharoah. He began riding in his native Mexico and went on to compete at racetracks in California. He has won the Kentucky Derby three times, riding War Emblem in 2002, California Chrome in 2014, and American Pharoah in 2015. He also won the Preakness Stakes three times, in those same years and with the same horses. He was the first jockey in history to enter the Belmont Stakes with a third opportunity to win the Triple Crown;[1] his 2015 victory made him the oldest jockey and first Hispanic jockey to win the award.[2]

Background and early career

Espinoza was born on a dairy farm in Hidalgo, Mexico, the eleventh of twelve children.[3][4] He and his brother Jose L. Espinoza, his senior by three years, rode horses on the farm; when he was 15 he left home and traveled to Cancún to assist his brother as a Quarter Horse trainer.[3] He paid for jockey school by driving a bus in Mexico City at age 17.[4][5] Within a few years, Espinoza was racing Thoroughbreds at Mexico City's track, Hipódromo de las Américas.[3][6]

Espinoza did not speak English[5] when he came to the United States in 1990. He moved to Northern California in 1992,[7] where by 1994 he was the leading apprentice rider at the Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields racetracks.[4] At the Bay area tracks, he started out very poor and lived in a tack room at the stables. Espinoza was described as "just a hardworking kid who was out there every day...But he kept getting better and better, and soon people started seeing the talent he had."[7]

A year later, he moved to Los Angeles.[3] His big break came in 2000 when he won the Breeders' Cup Distaff aboard Spain.[3] He rode his first Kentucky Derby in 2001, placing third on Congaree,[8] and in 2002, he won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes atop War Emblem.[3] Between 2000 and 2006 he averaged 193 wins a year and twice finished third in total earnings among jockeys.[3] However, his career entered a slump until he decided to refocus. As he explained, "One day, I woke up and I said 'This is not how I'm going to end up my career." He hired a new agent in January 2013, Brian Beach, and with a change in motivation[9] went on to obtain his 3,000th career win, aboard Flashy Delight, on May 31, 2013, at Betfair Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California.[10] After winning the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes on California Chrome, in June 2014 Espinoza traveled to Britain to win the Windsor Castle Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting on the Wesley A. Ward-trained colt Hootenanny.[11]

California Chrome and American Pharoah

American Pharoah with Victor Espinoza up
Espinoza on California Chrome after winning the 2016 Winter Challenge Stakes at Los Alamitos
Main articles: California Chrome and American Pharoah

Espinoza became the first jockey in history to get three opportunities to win the Triple Crown[1] and earned back-to-back wins with California Chrome and American Pharoah in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, only the sixth jockey in history to do so.[8]

In December 2013[12] Espinoza was selected as the jockey for California Chrome by veteran horse trainer Art Sherman, who had used him as a jockey during Espinoza's years in Northern California.[5] Up to that point, California Chrome had won only 2 of his 6 starts.[12] Espinoza rode California Chrome to consecutive victories in the King Glorious Stakes on December 22,[12] the California Cup Derby on January 25, 2014,[13] the San Felipe Stakes on March 8,[14] and the Santa Anita Derby on April 5.[15][16] On May 3, 2014, Espinoza lengthened the winning streak as he rode California Chrome to victory in the Kentucky Derby, marking the jockey's second Kentucky Derby win.[3] On May 17, California Chrome placed first in the Preakness Stakes, also Espinoza's second Preakness win.[6] On June 7, Espinoza's 6 for 6 streak aboard California Chrome came to an end when, due to an injury sustained right out of the starting gate, the Triple Crown contender finished in a dead heat for fourth place in the Belmont Stakes.[17]

In the fall of 2014, Espinoza also became the regular rider of American Pharoah, trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Ahmed Zayat. Espinoza started with the colt's second race, the Grade I Del Mar Futurity on September 4.[18] The pair went on to win the FrontRunner Stakes.[19] The colt was scratched from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile,[20] but the pair reunited in 2015 with wins in the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby[18] American Pharoah and Espinoza then won the 2015 Kentucky Derby[21] After the win, Espinoza said, "I feel like the luckiest Mexican on earth.[22] However, his performance attracted some scrutiny as he struck the horse 32 times with his whip during the race.[23] Kentucky racing stewards reviewed Espinoza's ride and ruled that his whip use did not violate state regulations.[24] On May 16, 2015, Espinoza and American Pharoah won the 2015 Preakness Stakes on a sloppy track, setting up Espinoza's third attempt at the Triple Crown.[25] His June 6, 2015, victory at the 2015 Belmont Stakes made him the oldest jockey to win the Triple Crown, as well as the first Latino jockey to do so.[26] For 3 years, he held the distinction of being the last jockey, and the oldest, to sweep the Triple Crown until Mike Smith did it aboard Justify in 2018. On October 31, 2015, Espinoza rode American Pharoah to victory in the Breeder's Cup Classic, becoming the first jockey in history to win horse racing's Grand Slam—the Triple Crown and the Breeder's Cup Classic.

Other ventures

On August 25, 2015, it was announced that Espinoza would compete on the 21st season of Dancing with the Stars.[27] He was paired with professional dancer Karina Smirnoff.[28] The couple was eliminated on Week 2 of competition and finished in 12th place.

Accident

On July 22, 2018, Espinoza was injured when riding Bobby Abu Dhabi at the Del Mar racetrack. Espinoza suffered a fractured vertebra but was initially expected to make a full recovery.[29] Several weeks after the accident, he continued to have trouble shaving, walking and getting out of bed, and lacks feeling in his left arm.[30] On January 5, 2019, Espinoza returned to riding at the Santa Anita Park.[31]

Personal

Espinoza is single and has no children.[32] He donates ten percent of his winnings to the City of Hope to support pediatric cancer research.[32][33] Following his Triple Crown win, he announced that he would be donating 100% of his Belmont Stakes earnings to the City of Hope.[34][35][a] Espinoza has a nephew, Assael Espinoza, who is following in his uncle's footsteps and is an apprentice jockey who is riding at Santa Anita Park, in Arcadia, California.

Year-end charts

Espinoza (in gray silks) with Art Sherman before the 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic
Espinoza in the winner's circle of the 2014 Preakness Stakes
Chart (2000–present) Peak
position
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2000 5
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2001 11
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2002 6
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2003 14
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2004 3
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2005 9
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2006 3
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2007 12
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2008 27
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2009 20
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2010 27
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2011 19
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2012 49
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2013 24
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2014 8
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2015 6
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2016 34
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2017 44

Notes

  1. ^ The total paid to the winning horse at the 2015 Belmont was $800,000; jockeys typically earn 10% of the purse awarded to the horse

References

  1. ^ a b "Victor Espinoza will look for Triple Crown for a third time". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  2. ^ "American Pharoah completes the Triple Crown, wins Belmont Stakes". Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Layden, Tim (May 15, 2014). "Victor and Jose Espinoza share a career but lead two different lives". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Arrington, Debbie (May 30, 2014). "The players behind California Chrome bring passion". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Crawford, Eric (May 17, 2014). "Preakness: From humble beginnings to riding Chrome". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  6. ^ a b Drape, Joe (May 17, 2014). "California Chrome Wins Preakness for Second Jewel". The New York Times. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Tompkins, Courtney (June 15, 2015). "Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza on his life-changing ride". The Pasadena Star-News. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  8. ^ a b Harris, Beth (June 2, 2015). "Belmont Stakes 2015: Victor Espinoza confident American Pharoah can win elusive Triple Crown". Herald-Sun/Associated Press. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "Espinoza: 'Look Forward, Never Look Back'". paulickreport.com. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  10. ^ "Victor Espinoza notches 3,000th win". PR Newswire. June 1, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  11. ^ "Hootenanny stretches clear in the Windsor Castle Stakes". the-racehorse.com. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c Jerardi, Dick (June 6, 2014). "Espinoza has California Chrome on winning track". philly.com. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  13. ^ "Santa Anita Park- January 25, 2014 – Race 10" (PDF). Equibase. January 25, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  14. ^ "Santa Anita Park- March 8, 2014 – Race 5" (PDF). Equibase. March 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  15. ^ "Trainers". Santa Anita Park. Archived from the original on April 3, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  16. ^ Janack, Phil (2014). "California Chrome Looks to Shine Again in Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes". New York Racing Association. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  17. ^ Hoppert, Melissa (June 7, 2014). "Tonalist Wins Belmont Stakes, Denying the Triple Crown for California Chrome". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  18. ^ a b "American Pharoah". Equibase. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  19. ^ "FrontRunner Stakes result". racingpost.com. September 27, 2014.
  20. ^ Claire Novak (October 28, 2014). "American Pharoah Out of BC Juvenile". BloodHorse.com.
  21. ^ "Churchill Downs - Race 11 -May 2, 2015". Equibase. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  22. ^ Evan Hammonds (May 3, 2015). "Favored American Pharoah Wins Kentucky Derby". BloodHorse.com.
  23. ^ "Espinoza's whip use on American Pharoah under scrutiny". Daily Racing Form.
  24. ^ https://sports.yahoo.com/news/great-debate--did-victor-espinoza-whip-american-pharoah-too-many-times-192407863.html
  25. ^ "Pimlico Race 13 May 16, 2015" (PDF). Equibase. May 16, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  26. ^ Almasy, Steve (June 6, 2015). "American Pharoah becomes first Triple Crown winner in 37 years". CNN. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  27. ^ Weseman, Lisa (August 25, 2015). "Victor Espinoza Joins the Cast of Dancing with the Stars Season 21". ABC. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  28. ^ "Dancing with the Stars Season 21 Cast Announcement". ABC. September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  29. ^ "Legendary jockey fractures vertebra after horse dies mid-run". July 22, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  30. ^ "Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza, his body broken by one fateful fall, is holding on for dear life". August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  31. ^ "Victor Espinoza Back in the Saddle at Santa Anita". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  32. ^ a b Dwyre, Bill (May 12, 2014). "Victor Espinoza has a cause beyond riding California Chrome to victory". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  33. ^ Harmonson, Tom (May 13, 2014). "Jockey Generous". Los Angeles Register. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  34. ^ "2015 Belmont Stakes Press Conference" (video). The Blood Horse. 8:50. June 6, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  35. ^ Myrick, Steve (June 6, 2015). "Bafferts, Espinoza donate Belmont winnings". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
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