Tag: Jockeys

Who knew saddles had an ejection button? Or, when did jockeys stirrups get so short?

May 22, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.
John Velasquez is ejected from Bodexpress

Looking at this image it’s no wonder John Velasquez didn’t stay on Bodexpress out of the starting gate in the Preakness. Honestly, I’m amazed how well jockeys stay on during all the shenannigans with such short stirrups. The style that we see today, was popularized by American jockey Tod Sloan in the late 1800s. Prior […]

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On a sloppy track, jockeys wear up to 9 pairs of goggles

June 11, 2011.Reading time 2 minutes.

The track today for the Belmont Stakes is sloppy. I suppose that’s better than the 100 degree heat in New York earlier in the week but the wet conditions create a different challenge: mud. When jockeys race in the mud they wear up to nine pairs of goggles, pulling them down as they go around […]

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