Famed Jockey Worth $227,820,517 Faces Suspension for ‘Careless Riding’ at Grade 1 Equestrian Race

Jockeys in equestrian races play an important role in navigating the horse throughout the race to the finish line. They must show their skill and experience without any illegal means to overcome their opponents. But, like any other sports incidents do happen which result in unwanted advantages to one and disadvantages to another. There are rules, regulations, and stewards present at the race track to watch for such incidents and deal with them.

In such incidents, even the famed and most experienced jockeys do get involved and face punishment accordingly. The latest name that got punished is Rafael Bejarano. The famed jockey who has a career that spans decades was suspended after an incident at the Saratoga race course.

Famed equestrian jockey suspended

According to Horse Racing Nation the famed equestrian jockey Rafael Bejarano traveled from Kentucky to New York to take part in Saturday’s Grade 1 Alabama Stakes of ten furlongs. He participated in riding Taxed in his only race of the day. During the race Taxed stumbled and later on running about 70 yards in the race it obstructed Gambling Girl ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. The two clipped heels resulted in Gambling Girl bobbling heavily and losing about two to three lengths in the race. Bejarano finished fifth and Ortiz Jr. finished sixth at the race.

After the race Irad Ortiz Jr. objected and registered his complaint with the steward claiming interference. The steward took notice of the complaint and started an inquiry. Later on, they disqualified Taxed and placed it in sixth place instead of fifth place and promoted Gambling Girl to fifth. The Saratoga stewards handed the $227,820,517  worth of jockey Bejarano a three-day suspension for careless racing.

The suspension will be in effect on Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday. Bejarano decided not to appeal the suspension and will serve it. This is not the first time that Bejarano was suspended in his equestrian career he had earlier been suspended for three days in 2017. Last year was suspended by Kentucky stewards but it was later lifted after understanding.

Rafael Bejarano’s equestrian career

The native of Peru, Bejarano had a passion for the equestrian sport. He belonged to a humble background and when he enrolled in the national jockey academy, he groomed horses to meet his expenses. He first started racing in Peru in 1999. In his first year, he won an apprentice title. Later on, Bejarano migrated to the United States to try his luck in more competitive horse racing. In the US under the mentorship of Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado, he started his journey at River Downs near Cincinnati.

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For the next five years, Bejarano competed in the Midwest and  East Coast before settling in as a jockey for Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel. Bejarano in his entire career to date 22,714 starts in which he won 4,399. This year he had 493 starts to date of which he won 67 and added $5,156,819 to his total earnings to date this year.

Rafael Bejarano’s suspension was handed over to him for the careless ride and this is not the first in his career. The incident indicates that even experienced jockeys are prone to mistakes and he has respectfully accepted his punishment.

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