Mexican Jockey Victor Espinoza Started at a Goat Farm, Now He’s Dancing With the Stars
Victor Espinoza’s name will go down in history. He became the first jockey in 37 years to win horse racing’s Triple Crown after riding American Pharaoh to a resounding victory at the Belmont Stakes. Here’s a closer look at Espinoza, who immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico to pursue his dream of becoming a jockey.
He’s the 11th of 12 Children
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That’s Victor on the right with his brother Jose, a retired jockey. Espinoza told the Washington Post that he can’t always remember the names of his siblings.
He Lived on a Goat Farm in Mexico
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As a kid, Espinoza used to help his brother herd more than 2,000 goats on a farm. Now he gets honored at events like the ESPYs.
He’s One of 11 Jockeys to Win Horse Racing’s Triple Crown
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He’s also the first Latino to win the Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.
TV Cameras Caught Him Saying “Holy Shit” After His Win
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The mic also picked up Espinoza saying something that rhymes with “Fruta Madre.” One of the assistants was heard telling Espinoza, “¡Dame otro pinche abrazo, cabrón!”
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He Donated his Belmont Stakes Winnings to Charity
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Espinoza announced that he would donate all of his winnings – $80,000 minus what he pays his agent and assistants – to City of Hope, a cancer research and treatment center. He’s been donating 10 percent of his winnings to City of Hope for several years.
He’s Earned More than $4.5 million Over the Course of His Career
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Not bad for a guy who used to work as a horse groomer and bus driver.
He’s Met with Royalty
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That’s Espinoza with Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Ascot race in England.
He’s a Fan of Breaking Bad
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Espinoza proudly shows off his Los Pollos Hermanos shirt after a race at Del Mar racetrack in California.
He’s Got Big Arms for a Guy Who is Only 5’2″
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Is that a bulletproof vest for those guns, Victor?
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He’s Got a Decent Sinker
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After his Belmont Stakes victory, Espinoza threw out the first pitch at a Yankees game. He walked all the way out to the rubber and threw a nice little sinker that earned applause from the Yankee faithful.
He Isn’t Short on Confidence
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During an interview on the Today Show, Espinoza said American Pharaoh could have won by a larger margin: “I could have won a little bit farther. Maybe another three or four lengths.”
Now, Espinoza has made it all the way to Dancing With the Stars.
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His dance partner will be Ukranian beauty Karina Smirnoff, a former DWTS winner who has three inches on Espinoza (she’s 5’3″).
