Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

Nik W — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 01:09:43 GMT

Just read that Animal Planet has nastily responded to people that there will be no 3rd season with NO explanation! Alex Waldrop can you get us some scoop????? What happened????? We want Jockeys back! Unfortunately this means they did not film Mike Smiths' dramatic adventure aboard Zenyatta! What a FAILURE! That would have made ratings HEAVEN!

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

Kate — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:10:23 GMT

Anyone know if it has been picked up for a 3rd season? And if they filmed this past Breeders Cup for it?

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

Julie — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:30:19 GMT

As I posted on Steve Haskins editorial regarding the television series Jockeys, I love seeing the human drama behing the scenes and this series has me watching more horse racing than ever before and reading bloodhorse.com everyday.

While I have loved horses and horse racing since a young age, the glimpse that I have seen of the business side of horse racing from a jockeys persepctive has given me new respect for the people who ride these magnificent animals. Not just the competition on the track but the competition for mounts and then keeping them once you have them. I love the show and hope that it brings new fans to the Sport of Kings.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

Freespirit — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:22:29 GMT

I have had two non horse people tell me what a great show this is. I haven't seen it myself, but I plan on watching it. Since I understand Mike Smith is one of the jockeys that is focused on, I hope Zenyatta is shown in some episode or at least mentioned!

I think this show is great for the sport and will make more people aware of what these guys put themselves through to ride and the guts they have to do it.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

Grandefan — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 06:33:16 GMT

If this show has all of us "regulars" talking this passionately --- just think of how exciting it is for the "newbies." A+ to Animal Planet for their leap of faith and guts to bring our sensationalized sport into perspective with a dose of reality. We've got to do our part too -- talk it up at the water cooler, at the clubhouse, at your local watering hole. Even better -at the sidelines of your kids next game. Bring the kids into this game and connect the dots between horsemen and sportsmen. TB teams really show what hardwork and dedication can produce. Jocks are severely under rated as athletes -- and the horses are the most honest competitors around. The last under the wire gets the same rubdown and oats as the first. And we all know you can't bribe a thoroughbred. Good sportsmanship and good values, inbred desire and talent, tough competition and even tougher training for humans and horses. It puts the spotlight on our industry and it makes good TV too. A winning ticket in my book.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

merrywriter — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:19:43 GMT

Correction - I think it was in the early nineties that An.Pl. has a series about a middle class family who raised and trained race horse(s) and viewers followed them to the track for race day. It showed how hard it is to win races, and for that it is probably the reason the show had only one(?) season.

Here with 'Jockey's' there are winners and losers in every episode. I wish it was more balanced with the horses being superstars - I mean the producers are in Zenyatta's backyard and it would be nice to see her become a household name. She's so attractive with that little war dance she does before the races and Mike is such a friendly guy (not in a race).

Which brings me to one of the best lessons of the series, and that is you can be friends with people with whom you compete. You can be aggressive without being nasty or evil. A good lesson for kids and adults alike.

I am so glad it had a good enough Nielson to come back again.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

Trudy — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:03:22 GMT

Love the show "Jockeys". Aren't we all really and truly just animals anyway???

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SundaySilenced — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:14:45 GMT

The only thing that I did not like about the new season so far is when they stated "people go to the track and bet their life savings everyday". This is way not true, and while we may have our regulars that bet heavy, I don't believe you'll find new "homeless" people coming out of the track every night as the statement implies. It gave me the feeling that racing was for betting purposes only. Other then that I have no real complaints, love the show and hope it continues to be stimulating and real.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

louisbelle — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:22:34 GMT

Racingfan, I remember the "Thoroughbred" show about the Bonita family, and was disappointed when it didn't return.

Is Jockeys perfect? no, but we have to remember that they're catering to a broad range of viewing audience with various level of racing/horse knowledge (or lack thereof), thus the task of scripting and editing is a tough one. I'm just glad that they're doing more show about horse sports, and a fine job IMO. :)

ps: Animal Planet also ran a "reality" series a few years ago called "Horse Power, Road to the Maclay", about a group of teenagers who compete in (hunter/jumper) equitation finals, it was well done and a big hit amongst the H/J people, even though it's about the teens. It unfortunately only ran one season, but it was good to see AP do a show as such nevertheless.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

sweet terchi — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:29:47 GMT

merlinmerry, I remember that show. I was bummed when it wasn't renewed, but hopefully your suggestion will bear fruit.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

zenyatta13 — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:05:43 GMT

I absolutely love this show! I have been watching it every week since season 1, though I am liking this season much better. The story lines are much more compelling and the hour-long format makes for a less choppy plot. I do wish that they would focus a little more on the horses, but it is still an excellent show.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

seb — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:21:05 GMT

Watching week on week really emphasizes the repetitiveness of much of the writing and production. This can get wearing.

The information presented, while I agree is neither only pro- or only anti- industry, is often misleadingly incomplete. I get that TV writing is typically super compact, but I often feel like I learn more about the sport watching a broadcast race as they are done for the Triple Crown than on Jockeys. I wonder if viewers did decide to take the next step to educate themselves if they would feel like the show fed them misleading information, something that wouldn't really be that helpful. Maybe this kind of thing, blurb-like incomplete information is so common that people don't notice the difference any more.

For example it seems a bit confusing when they build up a race, as for Iggy Puglisi in the last episode, as if it was a very big race such as a stakes feature, when what it seemed to be was a medium value claimer or optional claimer. It seems like the important story is that Iggy's business has to be rebuilt from the ground up. The race was not important, especially in itself, the tension would still be there if we focused even more on Iggy's struggles.

Still, I found the show engaging--even if I wish they would lay off the word 'devastating' a little more.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

merlinmerry — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:22:29 GMT

J.S.S. you got your responses confused - the name of the "commentator" comes AFTER the comment, not before. The two you cited, Estes and Rowner, had nothing but praise for the program.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

Just A Comment — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:20:32 GMT

The only thing that bothers me about this show is the silly scripted calls of Trevor Denmon (even when they are at Aqueduct). Give me a break. They show the names of the jockeys on the screen so we don't need Trevor to identify them is such a silly way. Use the life racing calls and let us watch the screen to track the horses and jockeys. Is anyone else that goes to the track frequently bothered by the sound of Trevor Denmon saying..."Aaron Gryder and Well Armed trail in near the end. Aaron Gryder must be devestated!"? Give me a break-he would never say this during a real race call. If it is a reality show, let the race call be reality.

Otherwise, I'm really enjoying the show and have to give compliments to the producers.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

Lynn — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:34:35 GMT

Incredible show about incredible people that put their lives on the line everyday. They are hero's and great athletes. I love all of their stories. Wish them all the best and continued success, greater success, and safe rides. Aaron Cryder is one special guy. Congrats on the World Cup. Your Dad saw that win and was smiling down....but, then, he always knew you were special!

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

J.S.S. — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:39:25 GMT

Dear Estes, I have spent many a morning at Santa Anita when that portio0n of the show was shot the track was open. NO HORSE OR TRAINER CAN JUST ARBITRARILY GO ON THE TRACK WHEN EVER THEY WANT. THIS APPIELS TO ALL TRACKS IN THIS COUNTRY. tHE FIRST FLIGHT OF HORSES CAN GO ON THE TRACK STARTING AT 5AM. There is a track resurfacing break at 8 AM.

IF you had ever been to this or any other track in the morning you would know that it is dark out when they start, especially for the winter meet at this track. The only time one has to inform the stewards or clockers, is when you plan to "Breeze" a horse for a clocked workout.

Please admit it, your looking for any reason to knock the show and the industry. the reason they worked the horse that early was to mask the horse from the eyes of other trainers, its done all the time.Asnd yes the entire complement of track personel are in attendanc If you think thast the incedent with Cory was staged just for the camera then you didn't understand what happened on the track in the race in question. they don't have time to stage a hearing just for the camera. again your looking to blast a good show.

As for you "roner" IF you knew anything about how the tracks and vets supervise these races you wouldn't say the word "FORCED" when referring to the running of horses with past injuries. I'm a breeder and I certainly don't want one of the horses I sold injured because of the lack of proper vet inspections on horse with past injuries. By the way a horse that has been administered Bute would most likely be kept in the shed row. Quite trying to make the industry out to be heartless criminals. We ar doing everything possible to protect our VERY large investment. These horses aren't playthings and we want them to have a good and successful life, so we have to "Force" them into a good retierment. Grow Up!! both of you

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

LittleGuyBreeder — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:59:16 GMT

I am enjoying this season far more than last. The stories are more compelling. Moving to an hour format was smart because the stories aren't so choppy.

Is racing perfect? Nope. But instead of just showing the glamorous side the public tends to see, they're seeing how hard it is to get to the glamorous side. But somehow, it's still a draw. If I wasn't already in love with this sport, and I was a kid again, I'd be bugging my parent's to take me to the races this weekend - PLEEEEEZZZZE!

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

merlinmerry — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:47:37 GMT

Some years back, Animal Planet ran a short lived series called "Thoroughbred." It featured Bonita Farms of Maryland, a full service, family owned breeding, racing facility. (They currently stand Kentucky Derby winner Go For Gin). It dealt with the day to day business of breeding and racing and the 24/7 hours of work involved. It was a good show but only ran for about 13 episodes. More info can be obtained at Animal Planet at : horseracing.about.com/.../aa032801a.htm

I always thought that more episodes and more publicity could have been a real boon to horse racing. If Jockeys is a hit, perhaps Animal Planet will revisit their old show.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

Racingfan — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:20:36 GMT

I really like the show and have seen all the episodes! I am glad it's out there to hopefully draw more people in to the sport. There is one disturbing thing to me however and that is the showing of the spills at the opening and after commercials or whenever.... We all know they happen and it is terrible - but that is one major thing that has been publicly stated is turning people away from racing. It is presented as sensationalism and while that kind of thing seems to draw some people in during certain things (like wrecks in car racing and fights in hockey for example), it seems like when animals are involved it has the opposite effect. It may need to be portrayed - but maybe not as the opening and closing etc to every show. Just my opinion! Overall though, I say great job! Please keep trying to find ways to market this great sport before it becomes a thing of the past!

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SFP — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:07:34 GMT

Last week it was on at 10pm so I just sat down to watch it and discovered it was moved up to 9pm this week. That stinks.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

flyte — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:18:31 GMT

I've watched every episode. I think this is a good way for racing to gain some new fans. I like getting to know a bit more about some of the jockeys, too.

Now, if we could just get the jockey's weights up to a range where they wouldn't have to "flip" or do some many other unhealthy things.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

JAJ — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:14:56 GMT

I loved the show! It is not perfect, but does do a pretty good job of educating the public. The show couldn't have come along at a better time for the sport.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

sknouff — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:24:21 GMT

Shuttleworth, the show is called JOCKEYS, not horses. This excellent show is about the PEOPLE who ride the horses and their lives. I agree with your idea, though. Maybe Animal Planet could expand this vision and take it a few steps further in another show that could focus more on the racehorses & trainers themselves, including the sales, the training, the injuries, the medication violations, etc. Anything to do with horses, I'm there. I really enjoyed last season and am glad to see the changes they have made with this year's show. I like seeing what goes on in the background - the rivalry, the trials of making weight, the stewards' inquests, the consequences, etc. I'm just glad this is on TV and hope it keeps coming back season after season.

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

Lady Ruffian — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:33:10 GMT

I've been watching the show since day one. I love it & hope it keeps bringing in the viewers so more people can get interested in this amazing sport!

re: Animal Planet Shows Jockeys Some Respect

Karen in Texas — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:56:20 GMT

I like the show! As I commented on Steve Haskin's Final Turn editorial, I began watching out of curiosity and soon became convinced the series would be a marketing tool for racing. They do show a balanced view of both positive and negative aspects of the industry. Over all, "Jockeys" is a step forward in explaining the sport to the public!