Jockeys - The Television Series

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Nola Ross — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:20:43 GMT

got to be one of my favorites shows. I don't even look to see what else is on when it was on. I don't find enough interest in horseracing, and I think I live and breathe to see something about it. until I became interested, I never knew what all it was about. Now I can reconize most horses of the past. oh, I love Jockeys. most dangerous sport in the world. not enough people understand that. great show, looking forward to it coming back on tv.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Gigi — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:43:59 GMT

I think this will be my new favorite show. I wanna become a jockey! I just don't have enough time cause of school and all :-( parents have high expectations for me, and riding horses for a living is out of the question.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

SuzanneB — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:20:55 GMT

I cannot wait to see this show, as I love horse racing and admire and respect jockeys for the amazing athletes that they are. That being said, I have zero respect for "reality shows", most of them are the worst garbage ever shown on tv. I hope this show is better than that.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

crystal — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:20:32 GMT

cant wait to see it. Jockeys are such amazing athletes along with the great horses that carry them. iv done some amature racing with my thourobred quarterhorse mare and loved it however i would have to admit it is very scarry taking corners that fast, and leaned so far. ill stick to barrelracing, (what im good at.)

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Kathy - Lifelong horse lover — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:02:03 GMT

I for one, am looking forward to the upcoming series, "Jockeys" on Animal Planet. I have always loved horses. My first horse was 1/2 Thoroughbred mare. I love horse racing, and was able to see Santa Anita track, from the "Shed row"... My sister was an Exercise Jockey, and showed me around,and introduced me to some of the Jockeys. I will remember that experience for the rest of my life! Hope that AP's new series will be as interesting as my real life visit.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

paula fogle ex jockey — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:36:05 GMT

I heard just the other day about the reality show on animal planet. I know there are some good people on the track, and Jockeys have a rough time keeping safe at all times.There is alot of heartache that goes along with racing and alot of happy times. I wont be watching the series at all though, I lived through 20 years of the racing industry and have seen every bit of each side of racing. I always hope the best for the racing industry, but I lived through too much in my 20 years to see anymore of it at this point in my life. I was a jockey for 12 years of my 20 on track, and have alot of good memories along with sad, emotionally and physically draining sport for a jockey. But good watching for people who do not know anything about the sport..

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Exercise rider — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:46:27 GMT

Jockeys *are* amazingly fit. Some of them love horses and some of them are jockeys because they are the right size and don't know what else they'd do. Some are decent human beings, others are not. Many, if not all, of the equestrian sports have extreme cases of neglect and abuse as well as extreme cases of love and care and everything in between. I don't think that the show will do much for the industry simply because of the nature of our society. Horse racing was fascinating when people interacted with horses more; when people relied on them as a form a transportation. Now NASCAR racing is much more interesting to the general public. I also fear that we will get a skewed view because the jockeys will not be behaving as they usually do - this will be their moment in the sun. Even the best known jockey is a nobody compared to a great quarterback. I must sound quite cynical but I work with these people everyday. I'm an exercise rider and have been for the past 10 years, but I have another career so it keeps me from getting too close. The racing world is different than so much of the rest of the world. Sexual harassment is commonplace and ignored. Everyone knows who the drug dealers are and it is ignored. I can't imagine we will get to watch anyone on the show getting busted for drugs, can any of you? ha! Then it'd be more like an episode of cops!

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

denise — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:45:33 GMT

Iam so excited to see this show, because my father-in-law was a small time trainer for 60 years and supported a wife and 3 children doing it. He loved everyday doing this and so do the jockeys,they are hard workers riding everyday. And they really do love the animals and the sport. I to hope they show everything all around with this whole sport good and bad,which happens in more that just this sport.And I am the last person to want to see any animal on earth harmed.I also own a horse do self-care and love doing everyday. Good luck to the show.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Taj — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:30:08 GMT

Animal Planet did very good "reality"shows on meerkats and orangutans. When you figure how many times a day a jockey races around the track balanced on their toes atop a horse, knowing that a stumble or sudden unplanned zigzag could mean injury or death. That makes jockeys among the bravest people on this planet. One horse got me back watching racing everyday and if the show is good I'm sure that this sport,warts and all will gain supportive fans from this show

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Lee — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:22:21 GMT

I find the remarks that Animal Planet viewers are crazy cat ladies who think jockeys beat horses to make them run offensive.

Everyone who watches AP is NOT a PETA Freak with no clue.

I have cats, I call them my children and I've been around horses including TB race horses most of my life and I've been a racing fan since before Secretariat and I watch Animal Planet.

I think any equestrian sport/show on TV is good for all.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

geegees — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:54:28 GMT

This could be an interesting series. I know one thing a jockey is the only athlete I know of who has an ambulance following them around the playing field.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Jessica — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:44:37 GMT

As an equestrian myself and living trackside throughout college, I am very excited to this series to air on Animal Planet. There is a lot more to horse racing than people see through the news or on tv and at races. Jockeys are amazing athletes and I'm excited for the world to see this!

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Donna J — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:32:27 GMT

I can hardly wait for this show. Im a huge racing fan, i think jockeys are among the best athletes in the world, they are under appreciated for the sacrifices they make for this wonderful sport. i will not miss 1 min of this show. thank you ,ap

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

MH — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:21:23 GMT

They started filming yesterday at Fairplex, and will go to Oak Tree at Santa Anita for a month. The jockeys are Garret Gomez, Alex Solis, Aaron Gryder, Joe Talamo, Mike Smith, Chantal Sutherland, and Jon Court. They are reportedly looking for drama and controversy.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

retiredjoc — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:29:47 GMT

There are so many ways that this show can go. I hope they focus on the way jockeys have to handle themselves in relations to the trainer, owner, agent and horse. Check out my site at www.thehorsejockey.com

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

tony — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:16:09 GMT

I think you should show the truth about the sport to show what jockey go thu to make a living do not suger coat it may be more people will under stand the sport and repect life of pro jockey it is tough job to have

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Amoeba — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:51:04 GMT

Can you say Flop-perooni?

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Victor — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:54:46 GMT

My wife works at animal planet and she said that the jockey show isnt officially picked up yet!!!

She said it is just in development and the network hasnt decided if they are going to do it. She said they often announce shows just in development to test the waters with advertisers.

I REALLY hope they make the show. Cant wait to watch.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Alli — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:34:31 GMT

I for one will watch it. Animal Planet is one of my favorite channels. The fact they are giving attention to the racing industry is great. It could use some positive air time.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

danny — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:27:42 GMT

You guys don't get it...it is not about the show or the content, it is about the fact that a network is actually funding original content around horse racing...if you haven't noticed the sport is dying, network ratings are for s*** and without TVG and HRTV no one would see any racing...Be thankful for animal planet, the production companies and anyone else who is willing to support our business, otherwise the only racing on TV you will be watching is the Hambletonian.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Oglalla Sue — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 04:23:28 GMT

So, if it's a TRUE reality show, does this mean they'll interview the jockey jumpers?

Because THAT would be funny.

(I just don't know if Animal Planet is ready for that).

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

Ogalla Sue — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 04:19:04 GMT

Like others, I'm dying to know what group of jockeys (and at what track) they decide to follow.

Will it be a big track or small track? There are some really cool smaller tracks with neat (and completely capable) jockeys with awesome story lines. Kind of hope they do go to a smaller track. It's more reflective of the lives of the majority of riders.

However, there are some smaller tracks that would be embarassing and probably wind up being investigated after something like this. And they wouldn't be reflective of the industry as a whole, either.

Also am interested in the "past performance lines" of this producer/production crew's work. Have they done horse racing stuff? If so, are we talking more "Ruffian" movie on ESPN (barf!) or "Barbaro" on HBO (very nice). Big, big difference there.

PS - I agree with you guys on the 1,500 lbs comment. Somebody in the process is clueless (lets hope it's the marketing person).

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

needler in Virginia — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:58:46 GMT

Crazy Cat Lady, I agree. My favorites are those who say "well, you KNOW they have to beat the horses to make them run"........er, WHAT?? Just today, Jerry Bailey was saying, on TV I might add, there was a horse whose rider was not allowed to even carry a stick as the horse stopped when tapped. Fair enough, but have any of these activists ever seen a field of horses just running, and racing each other, for the sheer fun of it? Probably not.

And, of course, the spills MUST be included to prove how mean and nasty racing folks really are. How many falls, bad steps, pulled muscles, broken appendages, torn ligaments, or twisted whatevers are shown when humans race each other?? While racing accidents are almost always catastrophic and we see that film loop in our heads long after the animal has been taken away, there are accidents in paddocks, barns, riding rings and every other damn place there are people and horses, and a LOT of times there are no people present AT ALL. An old irish vet once told me that all animals, including humans, have accidents...it's just that "with horses the accidents are bigger." How right he was.

While this side of racing, while rotten and VERY unpleasant, is real and will always be with us, there are untold numbers of race horses who run safely and without injury, retire to the paddock or the breeding shed, and live long, lazy, contented lives.

WITH LUCK, Animal Planet will tell THAT story, too. I know this is a series on jockeys, but without the horses, the jockeys are simply shorter people looking for a job......NO INSULT INTENDED!

Cheers to all, and have a great weekend.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

go for gin first derby winner — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:32:38 GMT

if handled right it can only be a positive thing for the industry. i would watch every time.

re: Jockeys - The Television Series

crazy cat lady — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 20:34:17 GMT

I worry that Animal Planet may focus on what is conceived by the animal rights terrorists as cruelty to the horses, rather than the glorious sport of horse racing. I hope instead that they will focus on the personalities of the jockeys and their relationship with the horses. I'm sure, tho, that there will be lots of film of spills.