Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza spent the latter half of 2025 riding in New York and Kentucky before moving to California, according to the Daily Racing Form (DRF). Espinoza noted that the colder weather in the East was a challenge.
Reports indicate that the 53-year-old jockey planned to move east in the summer of 2025 to revive his career, though he only secured nine wins from 77 races that year, a significant drop from his peak when he rode Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome. Since the beginning of 2026, Espinoza has started seven races and won two, achieving a 29% win rate. He is scheduled to ride in two races at Santa Anita on Saturday, January 24.
“I think about retirement every day,” Espinoza told DRF, “but I don’t feel it’s time just yet.” Veteran jockeys Mike Smith (59) and John Velazquez (54) shared that this mindset keeps them motivated to keep riding.
Since starting his North American riding career in 1993, Espinoza has won 3,528 races out of 23,271 starts. He claimed his first Kentucky Derby victory in 2002 aboard War Emblem and followed it with a Preakness Stakes win two weeks later. Espinoza has also earned four Breeders’ Cup wins, with his latest coming in 2021 when he rode CeCe to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly Sprint.
For further details, visit drf.com.
This article was first published by Paulick Report on January 21, 2026, in the News section.
Fan Take: Victor Espinoza’s continued presence in the racing scene is a powerful reminder of the sport’s rich history and the resilience of its stars. His efforts to reinvigorate his career could inspire both fans and aspiring jockeys, highlighting the enduring passion and dedication that define horse racing.
