Umberto Rispoli © Benoit Photo
Jockey Umberto Rispoli had a year to remember in 2025. He rode the Kentucky Derby favorite, Journalism, to a runner-up finish and followed two weeks later with a win in the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. They also won the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in July. Rispoli went on to his best year ever in regard to earnings collecting $13,420,345.
He also captured his first riding title since landing in Southern California when he came out on top during the Bing Crosby Season. Rispoli made 17 trips to the winners' circle last fall, two of them following graded stakes races. He won the G1 Hollywood Derby for the second year in a row, this time aboard Salamis for trainer Chad Brown, and the G3 Red Carpet with Mrs. Astor for trainer Jonathan Thomas.
But the racing gods can be downright cruel at times and in January Rispoli suffered a spill at Gulfstream Park that laid him up for six months. He suffered a fractured ankle, a broken fibula in his left leg and a small fracture of his tibia, all of which led to multiple surgeries to repair and months of rehab in Spain and France. Yet by June, he was back up working horses and he was riding races by opening day at Del Mar.
“It hasn’t really been the kind of year you want to have in this part of your career,” Rispoli says. “The injury compromised many things. It was during the time of the year when they have preps for the Kentucky Derby. I missed chances to ride in Dubai and Saudi and those important meetings.
“It’s hard because when you get hurt people forget about you,” Rispoli continues. “I find that a little bit silly. You’re the same jockey you were when you got hurt six months before.”
Journalism & Umberto Rispoli © Benoit Photo
Rispoli has notched seven graded stakes victories since his return, three of them during the Del Mar summer meet. He was fortunate to get back and ride Journalism in his final race, a win in the G2 San Diego Handicap. He also won the G2 Green Flash with Sorrento Sky and the G2 Del Mar Mile with King of Gosford, both on the Pacific Classic undercard.
“I was proud to be back in good shape,” Rispoli recalls. “Once you focus on the second half of the season you focus on horses you can ride in the Breeders’ Cup. Unfortunately, I could only get three horses. You expect trainers to put you back on horses you had won with and it didn’t happen. You hope people who you work with year-round will give you support on the big day but they get excited and put someone else on it.”
As to defending his title this fall at Del Mar, Rispoli says that takes a backseat to other priorities he brings to the races.
“I’m not a guy running for the titles,” Rispoli contends. “Of course, it’s a reward for yourself but I’m more focused on winning the good races. Sixteen years from now if you ask someone who won the riding title in 2025 at Del Mar they’ll need to Google it. It’s a good professional reward but it doesn’t make you a better jockey. Just because you lose the title doesn’t make you a bad jockey. I’m looking at the quality instead of the quantity.”
Speaking of quality, the Del Mar jockey colony is full of talented riders like Umberto, something he’s very proud to be a part of.
“I think when we got Joel (Rosario) and Emisael (Jaramillo) we raised the bar,” Rispoli says. “The previous riders are competitive with each other and when we go to the east coast we can compete with everybody. We have a lot of good riders, a lot who have top achievements.
“At the end of the day, it’s always the horses that you ride,” Rispoli concludes. “The horse makes the difference. We are not magicians. It’s true that the better rider is the one who makes the less mistakes. I’m looking forward to winning as many good races as I can.”