Desormeaux reinstated to ride at Santa Anita
Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux has been reinstated to ride at Santa Anita and other tracks owned by 1/ST Racing, the company said in a brief statement released Friday.
Desormeaux, 52, resumed riding at Del Mar last month after serving a 60-day suspension issued by the California Horse Racing Board earlier this year regarding an altercation in 2021 at an RV park at Del Mar.
Desormeaux was banned from riding at tracks owned by 1/ST Racing following his arrest in his home state of Louisiana in January on charges of domestic abuse and battery.
Desormeaux met with Santa Anita officials last month. He was told this week he can resume working horses in the mornings this weekend and ride races when the track opens its winter-spring meeting Dec. 26.
In its statement, the track said an agreement was reached Thursday.
“We wish Kent success in his return to the saddle,” the statement said.
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Desormeaux was suspended by the racing board for violating the terms of an agreement he signed in December 2020 with the Winner’s Foundation, stating he would refrain from “using any mind-altering and mood-changing substances” from Dec. 14, 2020 through Dec. 26, 2021. Last year, Desormeaux admitted to consuming alcohol “throughout the year.”
The Winner’s Foundation aids people in California racing with substance-abuse problems.
In late October, Desormeaux said he had recently completed a stay in rehab, which he described as “my best experience in rehab.”
Desormeaux, who has won three Kentucky Derbies and three Eclipse Awards, had had numerous disruptions to his 36-year career related to substance-abuse issues.
Through Thursday, Desormeaux was winless with 11 mounts at the current Del Mar autumn meeting, with a second and a third. He is booked to ride two races Satuday and three Sunday.
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