Samuel Marin, the top jockey at Tampa Bay Downs, is open and humble during interviews despite his impressive achievements. The youngest of six siblings, Marin credits his upbringing by his parents, Manuel Marin and Nancy Rojas from Caracas, Venezuela, for his grounded personality and determination to stay true to himself.
Marin quickly began defending his riding title last season, earning recognition such as Martin’s Italian Jockey of the Month award early in the 2025-26 season. At just 24 years old, he secured 116 wins last season and learns from seasoned riders like Daniel Centeno and Jesús Castanon, drawing inspiration from their success while focusing on his future.
He proudly considers himself a lifelong student of horse racing, recently winning his first graded stakes race aboard the mare Surface to Air, capturing victories at the Monmouth Cup (G3) and Philip H. Iselin (G3). After some initial struggle in the Salvator Mile (G3), Marin adjusted his approach under trainer Panagiotis Cinefias’s guidance, which led to his subsequent wins. These achievements mark a significant step forward in Marin’s career, giving him access to higher-quality mounts.
Marin invests time studying past races, replays, and mistakes made by others to improve his craft. Even when facing losses, which are common in racing, he remains focused, taking advice from his agent and former jockey Mike Moran to “turn the page and keep trying.”
Fan Take: This story highlights the promising rise of a talented young jockey who combines humility, hard work, and a deep commitment to learning, qualities that are essential for sustaining success in horse racing. For fans, Marin’s journey signals the emergence of a new star who could shape the future of the sport with dedication and skill.
