At this point in his career, Cipriano Gil takes pride in being ranked the No. 4 Venezuelan jockey at Tampa Bay Downs. While top jockeys like defending meet champion and clear leader Samuel Mullin, five-time track champion Sammy Camacho, and Sonny Leon—who won the 2022 Kentucky Derby aboard Rich Strike—are the preferred choices for many trainers at Oldsmar, Gil is steadily raising his profile.
Gil, a lively and optimistic 26-year-old from Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela, conveys a quiet confidence that his breakthrough moment will arrive, if not at Tampa Bay Downs, then elsewhere. For now, he’s eager to embrace all the challenges the Oldsmar Oval presents, recently earning recognition as Martin’s Italia Jockey of the Month after securing 17 wins.
“When you want to advance professionally, you must continue learning,” Gil shared, utilizing Google Translate on his agent Steve Worsley’s phone. “I try to gain knowledge from top jockeys and trainers every single day.”
Before arriving in the U.S. in 2023, Gil meticulously prepared for years, accumulating over 500 wins in Venezuela and claiming four tournament titles at the renowned La Rinconada racetrack. His competitive spirit began early, participating in pony races around his family’s farm and eagerly accepting challenges to finish first.
Gil always envisioned himself riding thoroughbreds and pursued this path through his education, entering jockey school at 13 and making his professional debut at 15 in 2014.
Agent Steve Worsley, who represents star jockeys such as Jesus Castanon and Jose Ferrer—both boasting combined wins exceeding 7,400—has strategically positioned Gil for success behind the scenes. Leon, also one of Worsley’s clients at Tampa Bay Downs besides being a Kentucky Derby winner, exemplifies a humble and hardworking journey, quietly persevering before his stunning 80-1 victory at Churchill Downs four years ago.
Gil’s efforts to mirror the early stages of his career back home benefit from Worsley’s veteran insight regarding the sport’s ups and downs. “The longevity of careers like Jose and Jesus’ is what truly impresses me,” Worsley said. “You can have luck for a year or two winning many races, but sustaining it over 30 years requires unmatched drive and dedication. Cipriano is headed in that direction.”
Although Gil’s prior achievements in Venezuela initially meant little when he began riding at Gulfstream Park in the summer of 2023, he made the most of changing circumstances. After a solid 2025 season at Gulfstream, winning 14 of 167 mounts, Gil started turning around his career momentum.
Last season, Gil finished seventh at Tampa Bay Downs with 33 wins, and at Gulfstream’s spring/summer meet, he improved further with 27 victories, finishing ninth overall. Alongside his professional achievements, Gil and his wife Natalie Solorzano—a race commentator, analyst, and model—welcomed the birth of their son Rodolfo on August 6th.
Now, Gil embraces a new role, learning to appreciate the rewards of everyday responsibilities like feeding and diapering his son just as much as winning tight photo finishes. This balanced perspective is supported by Leon, who helps guide Gil through the early challenges young jockeys often face.
“Sonny’s humility is something many jockeys could learn from,” Worsley noted. “He reached the pinnacle mostly through small steps but never grew complacent. He kept working hard on what made him successful.”
While much can be learned through observation, Leon encourages Gil to own his thoughts and decisions. “We share a strong friendship and support each other both on and off the track,” Gil said. “After races, we discuss what happened and what could be improved. That drives me to learn more about every aspect of the sport.”
As Gil racks up wins, his recognition among trainers grows. Notably, he has secured five wins for Tampa Bay Downs’ leading trainer Juan Carlos Avila, three victories for Tim Hamm, and two for Greg Sacco.
Recent career highlights include riding the three-year-old gelding Superforce to victory in the Showing Up Stakes at Gulfstream on November 1st as an 18-1 longshot, under trainer Michael Trombetta, and helping Victor Barboza Jr. achieve his 100th North American win with Here to the Roar on December 14th at Gulfstream.
By staying on a steady trajectory and leaning on experienced mentors, Gil is poised to reach even greater milestones.
“Everyone in this sport experiences ups and downs, but Cipriano tackles everything with a positive attitude and keeps pushing forward,” Worsley said. “He’s had many good opportunities here, and I’m confident trainers are relying on him.”
Fan Take: Cipriano Gil’s story highlights the perseverance and growth essential in horse racing, showing that talent combined with dedication can lead to success even far from home. His rising presence not only adds depth to competitive fields but also brings fresh energy and international flair, benefiting the sport’s global appeal and future talent pool.
