Valdivia plans spring comeback

Jockey Jose Valdivia, who has not ridden since late December, is planning a late spring comeback after recently undergoing two shoulder surgeries.

Valdivia, 51, said in a recent interview that the second surgery, involving a bone graft, has stabilized his left shoulder and improved his mobility. Valdivia said he is undergoing physical therapy twice a week and is hoping to receive doctor’s clearance in April for more vigorous physical activity.

“Every day is better and better,” he said.

Prior to the surgeries, Valdivia said day-to-day activities, such as reaching into a shelf or putting on a shirt, had become difficulty with his left arm.

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“It’s the little things you take for granted,” he said. “Driving, using your left hand and bringing it to top the of the wheel, I couldn’t do that last month because my arm was so stiff and it was hard to lift it up.

“The other day I was using my left hand to drive. The doctor said you’ll find little improvements like that. It’s coming around.”

Valdivia said he hopes to resume exercising horses in May for a possible comeback in June.

“I hope he’ll give the me the okay to get on horses,” Valdivia said of gaining approval from a doctor. “Then it’s a matter of fitness. I don’t think that will take that long. I’m working out and starting to work on my weight to get it back down.”

Valdivia had a slow 2025, winning with five of 71 mounts.

Valdivia was a top rider in Southern California in the early 2000s before relocating to the Midwest, where he was leading rider at Arlington Park for five consecutive seasons from 2015 through 2019. Valdivia returned to Southern California in the final months of 2019.

Earlier in his career, he won such races as the 2001 Breeders’ Cup Mile on Val Royal and the 2011 Belmont Stakes on Ruler On Ice.

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