Ramiro Salazar Earns Jockey Status; Lucas González Just Shy of Graduation

Salazar reached the 120-win mark—the threshold for graduation—aboard Full Inc, while his colleague Lucas Gonzálezposted a riding double to move to 119 career victories

Ramiro Salazar (right) reached the required 120 wins in just over two and a half years / HLP

There were no stakes races on Wednesday’s card at Hipódromo de San Isidro, but the day still produced a pair of meaningful milestones for two young riders.

The headline belonged to Ramiro Salazar, who notched his 120th career victory aboard Full Inc (Full Mast—Oriunda Inc, by Include) in the Premio Salvadora Trick, a 1200-meter contest on the alternative condition circuit for older mares. With that win, Salazar officially graduated from apprentice to fully fledged jockey, shedding his five-pound weight allowance.

A product of the Escuela del Hipódromo de La Plata under Antonio Fabián Rivero, Salazar’s graduation comes just over two and a half years after launching his career. From 1,129 mounts, he has compiled a 10.6% strike rate and has already celebrated three black-type wins. His stakes successes include the Clásico Fundación Equina Argentina in Tucumán with Remanente (Remote); the Clásico Panamá with Fancy Model (Lizard Island); and the Clásico Benito Lynch (L) with Arcanum (Horse Greeley), the latter two coming at La Plata.

A member of the same graduating class as Guillermo Reynoso, Facundo Enea, Lucas López, and Tiago García, Salazar now embarks on the next chapter of his riding career.

Meanwhile, 2024’s Apprentice Jockey of the Year, Lucas González, enjoyed a double to move within one win of his own graduation, sitting at 119 career victories. The talented and highly regarded rider made his presence felt early with Premiada Spring (Greenspring—La Premiada, by Distinct Reality), who captured the Premio Tahanee over 1200 meters on dirt for five-year-old mares with two prior wins.

Later, González teamed up with trainer Juan Saldivia to guide debutante Eneta (Fortify—Encomiada, by Southern Halo) to a narrow win in the Premio Court Harwell over 1300 meters. Racing for Juan Antonio, the promising filly scored by a head to complete the rider's productive afternoon.

With momentum on his side, González appears poised to join Salazar in the professional ranks within days.