Apprentice jockey Brian Torres achieved his fifth career win under dramatic circumstances when his saddle slipped far back during a race, almost leaving him perched on the horse’s rump. Despite the unexpected equipment issue, Torres managed to maintain balance and control, guiding four-year-old Breezy Dance to a commanding four-length victory at Parx Racing in Benthalem, Pennsylvania, on July 7th.
Torres, a 24-year-old from Puerto Rico, didn’t realize what had happened until after crossing the finish line, when an outrider alerted him to the displaced saddle. “I was giving everything to stay balanced,” Torres recalled. Trainer Mike Moore had advised taking the lead since Breezy Dance wasn’t running well recently, so Torres pushed the horse upfront, which may have contributed to the saddle slipping.
Images of Torres’ daring ride quickly reminded fans of California Chrome and Victor Espinoza’s famous Dubai World Cup win, although Torres jokingly noted his saddle didn’t slip quite as slowly. Torres, a 2022 graduate of the Esquera Bocasional Hipika jockey school in Puerto Rico, shared how his journey included early encouragement from friends to pursue racing in the U.S., morning sessions with trainer Rudy Rodriguez, and valuable advice from top jockeys at Saratoga.
After settling in Pennsylvania and working with trainers John Celis and his son Tyler, Torres met his agent Jimmy Bourmetis and gradually moved from galloping horses to full-time riding. His first U.S. win came in March, and since then, Torres has steadily built momentum, securing a seventh career win shortly after his thrilling Breezy Dance victory.
Torres optimistically noted, “It’s going well now,” signaling a promising future ahead.
— Fan Take —
This thrilling and resilient ride by Brian Torres highlights the raw challenges and unpredictability of horse racing, reminding fans of the sport’s intense demands and the incredible skill jockeys need to succeed. Torres’ breakthrough signals exciting potential and fresh talent rising within the industry, promising more inspiring race moments ahead.
