Rodrigo Blanco: The Return of a Top Jockey After Over 2 Years on the Sidelines

With 39 G1 victories and nearly 2,000 career wins, the 43-year-old jockey confirmed that he will return to action in February. The battle with the scale, his physical conditioning, and the opportunity to prove to himself that he still has what it takes are the driving forces behind his return

Rodrigo Blanco Capturing a G1 Victory Aboard Emotion Orpen / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

The chronicler is about to share a confidence. A few days before the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1), during a chat with Rodrigo Blanco, the question of when he would return to racing became irresistible. "I have no desire; I have to solve several personal issues and get my head right. But, as of today, I don't have the strength."

A few weeks after that conversation, the Córdoba-born rider reassessed his situation, put order to many of the issues that prevented him from looking favorably upon returning to the passion of his life, and launched "Operation Comeback."

At 43 years old, with nearly 2,000 wins and more than 25 years of delighting racetracks with a natural talent that allowed him to visit the winner's circle in 39 G1s, Rodrigo Gonzalo Blanco has changed his tone and his outlook. Those "lack of desire" days have turned into the excitement of being among horses again.

"I was at my house for the holidays in Córdoba, and we talked about a lot of things. It happened to coincide with Frankie Dettori’s visit, and my mother told me: 'I want you to retire like that.' That phrase moved me, and the desire started coming back. Also, there’s Olivia, my youngest daughter, and that was another push to make the decision," says Rodrigo, who is checking items off his to-do list for his return.

"Osvaldo Lobato, whom I’ve worked with for many years for El Basti, also wanted me to come back—to get even more involved with the horses than I was. I was the manager for the stable, and he wanted me to exercise them and ride them in races. And also, of course, Juan Javier and Carlos Daniel Etchechoury, who have been pushing for me since day one. Javi was more insistent, showing me the messages Dany sent, who always believed in me and insisted I return," adds the professional with enthusiasm.

Jockey of notable horses such as Life of Victory (Incurable Optimist), Fire Wall (Incurable Optimist), the champion Fiel Amigo (Violence), Amy B Key (Key Deputy), Dont Worry (Sultry Song), etc., at 43, Rodrigo Blanco knows this is his last great opportunity to reinsert himself into the circuit: "There are many young guys riding well, others who were already there. It will be a pleasure to be with them again. Gustavo Calvente and Kevin Banegasasked me when I was coming back every time they saw me; now is the time."

The last official race for Rodrigo Blanco was on November 21, 2023, at La Plata, with Super Celestial (Super Saver), a mare from Stud-Haras Firmamento that finished fourth. It will be a layoff of 2 years, 2 months, and a few days that Rodrigo will face.

"If everything goes well, by the end of January I’ll be back in Buenos Aires to start galloping and working, which is the best way to get in shape. I have strength in my legs and arms, and I need to lose a few pounds, but the only way to do it is to go in the mornings and work horses. I hope to be back at the tracks by mid-February; I’m already processing the paperwork to activate my license with the Union," Blanco adds.

Speaking on the subject, he says: "I want to have a more active participation in my Union, to get involved, lend a hand, and help the younger guys with the experience I’ve accumulated over the years. We veterans have to lead the way for the younger ones because we’ve already gone through many of the things they face or will face in the future. There is a lot of talent that shouldn't be wasted."

With 180 stakes wins on his enviable record and countless battles fought at the reins of a Thoroughbred, Rodrigo Blanco makes his return once more with the dream of returning to the privileged place he held for many years—the one that allowed him to embrace glory on repeated occasions.

He is calm, mature, trying to settle his life after some changes that hit him hard and, for a long stretch, made him think he would never race again.

Ready and strong, surely when he gets back in the saddle, he will feel that adrenaline that led him to become a jockey at a very young age. And a damn good one at that.