A wrestling injury became a serendipitous gateway to destiny in the world of galloping and majestic horses. Corey S. Nakatani, a thoroughbred horse equestrian legend, was born on a crisp October day in Covina, California. Nakatani’s journey from a curious teenager to a US Hall of Fame jockey is awe-inspiring.

With 3,909 victories under his belt, including two Kentucky Oaks titles and four Strub Stakes wins, Nakatani galloped his way into the hearts of racing enthusiasts across the globe. In a recent interview, the legend opened up about his illustrious career.

How Corey Nakatani stumbled into the equestrian world

According to Paulick Report, Nakatani grew up in Southern California in a large family of ten children. A high school wrestling champion, destiny took an unexpected turn. Nakatani was at Arcadia Methodist Hospital after suffering a broken nose during a wrestling match, staring out at Santa Anita Racetrack. He had no idea that this chance encounter would spark a passion that would propel him to legendary heights. Nakatani’s father tried his hand at horse betting at Santa Anita Racetrack. Wandering about the racetrack after his accident young Carey asked his father, do horse racers even make any money?

His father replied saying, “That guy right there is Bill Shoemaker and he’s standing with Charlie Whittingham. They both make about a million dollars a year”. Nakatani’s enthusiasm for the sport was sparked by this chance encounter. His curiosity led him to the World Jockey Association, where he learned the art of horsemanship. By the summer’s end, he was working at Tony Matos’ Thoroughbred breeding farm, immersing himself in the world of breaking young horses. In 1988, with no prior experience atop a horse, Nakatani began picking up mounts, taking his first strides toward an illustrious racing career. In the spring of 1989, Nakatani’s name graced the rosters at Santa Anita, signaling the start of a monumental ride.

A legacy etched in the Hall of Fame

He won 3,909 races on horses over the course of the following three decades, including 341 graded stakes and 120 Grade I victories. His unforgettable ten Breeders’ Cup wins earned him a place among the elite in the equestrian world. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015. Nakatani acknowledges the crucial part that Matos, Meldahl, and Casado played in planning his racing victories.

With a glint of nostalgia, he shares, “I used to ride a lot of nice horses. A lot of the time you’re riding against Hall of Famers, so you don’t always get the best of the horses you want to ride. I was very fortunate and lucky to win a lot of races”. However, the path to greatness is never devoid of obstacles. In 2018, Nakatani’s career reached an abrupt halt when a racing accident at Del Mar resulted in a broken neck. Unfazed, he approached life’s obstacles with the same grit that distinguished his racing days.

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The camaraderie of his fellow jockeys, the thrill of victory, and the poignancy of defeat – all a part of racing history. However, his legacy will forever echo through the sport, inspiring generations of riders to chase their dreams with determination and a love for the noblest of creatures, the horses.

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