Altair Domingos: The Courage to Come Back on an Emotionally Charged Afternoon

After 1,464 days, Brazilian jockey Altair Domingos returned to the winner’s circle at Paraná, putting behind him the injury that had sidelined him and capturing two races that stirred the emotions of racing fans across South America

Altair Domingos, anxious and awaiting his return, which would ultimately end in victory / JCP

By Diego H. Mitagstein

That race aboard Goteo Key (Key Deputy) on May 1, 2021, marked a turning point in Altair Domingos’ life. Jockey of the Year in Argentina in 2014 and 2015, winner of every major race that crossed his path, the fall seemed to signal his definitive departure from the saddle, despite still being under 40 years old.

He rode a few more races, but his left eye showed signs of trouble. There were tests, consultations, and advice, which led to the diagnosis of a traumatic eye condition affecting the optic nerve, forcing him to retire.

He returned to Brazil, his birthplace, and this past Saturday, he illuminated the sky of South American racing with a dream comeback at the Jockey Club de Paraná, winning two races, moving everyone and sparking a flood of messages on social media—a clear sign of the affection he had cultivated over so many years.

The jockey of Hi Happy (Pure Prize), Ollagua (Pure Prize), Jumbalaya (Pure Prize), El Margot (Luhuk), and many other great horses in Argentina, crossed the wire first once again after 1,464 days, 209 weeks, 47 months—an eternity. His last victory had been on May 7, 2021, aboard Capa Que Sí (Lizard Island) in the Clásico Sumatra at Palermo.

With Bug Court (Courtier), Altair, or Nico, once again felt the thrill of riding an SPC in the third race of Saturday at Paraná, leading from start to finish in the Prova Especial Albino Farracha de Castro (1300m, turf), defeating none other than João Moreira, who had just a week earlier competed in the Kentucky Derby (G1) with the Japanese horse Luxor Café (American Pharoah).

A little later, in the Premio Greenhouse Curitiba (1000m, turf), Domingos finished third behind Moreira, but soon added another victory, this time with the 2-year-old filly Que Sofía Again (Synchrony) in the Premio Vesta Piso Aquecido (1000m, turf), teaming up with trainer Pedro Nickel Filho, the same one he had taken so many photos with in Argentina when they both exclusively raced for La Providencia.

Altair Domingos would go on to race two more times that afternoon at Paraná—finishing seventh and fifth—before heading home with one of the biggest smiles ever seen on his face. After reconnecting with his life's passion and defying fate, if there’s one thing that has always been a hallmark of his career, it’s his courage...