When Battle Won was getting ready for the CD Hdcp in 2005 the owner wanted to change riders. Being on Derby Day there was of course a lot of options. Despite my lack of knowledge of advanced stats I thought that Ramon would be a good fit. He rode a flawless race and what impressed me the most was despite him not riding on that circuit he had his agent get my address and a few weeks later a very generous check for the groom, ex rider and assistants was in the mailbox. He isn't the only jockey to do this but the amount was very generous and these were people that he didn't even know other than meeting them for a few brief seconds in the paddock before the race.

He was a genuine guy in a business full of phonies.

Nice story, haven't heard to many of these about wealthy athletes lately.

We speak his name ! :tro::tro::tro:

appreciation
 

A sad day for racing. Couple of things I remember. First, you could tell he was riding a hoss without a program. He had such great form and technique. When he would rear back and give the hoss that one sharp crack of the whip about 40 yards from the wire that so many times spurred him on to victory, it was wonderful to watch. Always would smile at the kids as they went from paddock to track at the spa. He knew how to read a racing form too. Great strategist as a race rider. I never saw him hold a hoss. Maybe if we all send him some good healing vibes, he will ride again. If Red Pollard could do it, maybe Ramon too.

Nice! Sounds like the rare combo of talent and grace. He had nearly off-the-charts ROI when shipping in to NY in 2004, a year during which I kept meticulous jockey stats. The NY bettors grossly underestimated his talent, as I think Calzone already mentioned. Great hearing from Cannon and others that he's a good guy, too, although it makes the accident and the retirement all that much sadder.

--Dunbar

will be missed, probably the best or one of the best of all time, but I will always remember him as the jockey of Scrappy T, in The Preakness, I had a 100 DD with Eddington , with a payoff of about 750.00 for a $2 bet, as I watched the race and Ramon had him in perfect position, but he blew the turn and Afleet Alex almost went down, insted my 100 DD went down, and the 35,000 ticket I thought was good, became crap. Thanks for the memories...................

Even the most difficult decision of the guys life seems to come off with class and conviction as evidenced by his remarks. The game has lost a rare talent who excelled everywhere he competed. Hopefully he finds a way to stay in the game in a significant way.....

DRF | Dominguez trying to adjust to life without racing

Ramon's sadness in the video interview with Mig is palpable. :(

Yea that sucks....hopefully he saved much of the money he made so that he will basically have a comfortable life and can do some of the things in life that will make him somewhat happy.

Ramon Dominguez has cathartic experience at Saratoga WarHorse

Blood-Horse > Hangin' With Haskin > Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

:tro:
Excellent.

He's been my favorite since he was in Md....Steve (anyone?) is there any chance he could return to racing one day?

Not in the irons sadly. The retirement decision was made when it became clear that getting medical clearance to ride was going to be almost impossible.

Like a lot of jockey "retirements", I really took Ramon's retirement as it's taking him much longer than expected to get better, but one day we''ll see him back. Didn't know of this detail though.... bummer. I'm still hoping that there still might be the slimmest of chances in the next couple years the he's healed enough to get cleared