UMBERTO RISPOLI: "JOURNALISM? THE BEST HORSE I HAVE EVER RIDDEN"

On Saturday 3rd May at Churchill Downs the 151st edition of the Kentucky Derby, the first trial of the American Triple Crown of horse racing. Among the protagonists, indeed, among the favourites, will be our Umberto Rispoli, 31 years old, born in Montesilvano in the Marche region and raised in Scampia, Naples, who will ride Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy with whom he won the Santa Anita Derby in California a few days ago. This will be his third time participating in this race, a great result considering that the Italian jockey has been living in the States for less than five years. Precisely for this reason ‘Umbertino’ was the protagonist of a podcast by the online newspaper TDN where he gave a comprehensive account of his life.

"When I arrived in the States in December 2019 from Hong Kong I knew it would be difficult, that I would have to prove to everyone and maybe first of all to myself that I could be competitive. Racing in Hong Kong helped me because, unlike in Europe where the races are run purely on grass, the races in the Far East are quite similar to the American ones. The direction of the race may change, but otherwise it's the same..."

Regarding Journalism and his chances Rispoli said: ’In the Santa Anita Derby when I saw the draw for the starting gate I wasn't very happy, but when you ride a horse like that, with his intelligence you can always think that things can change. He's a horse that is improving race after race. On that occasion I managed to seize the right moment to make my move. It wasn't easy, but when I asked him to he responded in the best possible way. The Kentucky Derby will be a difficult start, but he'll know how to deal with it. I'm happy because I'll probably be riding the strongest horse of my life. He is definitely the strongest horse I have ever ridden; I am happy to be in this position at this moment. I am calm, cool, the adrenaline will come, but it will be a healthy tension. I have the chance to ride against the best jockeys in the world; to be among the favourites of the Kentucky Derby. I am not afraid, I am not scared... I am excited, happy. Fear and fright unfortunately belong to those who work hard every day to support their families. I am living a dream that has come true and I am enjoying every moment of it."