(Exercise rider Jamison Mudd gets a first-hand look at the 151st Kentucky Derby / All Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Fresh talent, bright future:

An exercise riders first Kentucky Derby experience

By: Holly M. Smith

Seven days out from the Kentucky Derby on a cold, damp morning that felt more like fall in Kentucky than spring, Render Judgment was putting in his final work for trainer Kenny McPeek, looking in from outside the official Derby field. Render Judgment worked in company with Hypnus and exercise rider Jamison Mudd. Mudd, an 18 year old native of Lafayette, Louisiana started working for McPeek over the winter at the Fair Grounds and decided to make the move to Louisville for the Churchill Downs meet.

 

He is a third generation horseman whose extended family has ties to the Louisiana racing scene, including two uncles who have been fixtures on the Louisiana/Kentucky circuit for years. His father rode races for a few years and then transitioned back to exercise riding, as long as he can remember, Thoroughbreds  have been a part of his life. He learned to gallop at a training center in Louisiana with one of his uncles, starting out on a pony and working his way up. Prior to making a move to Fair Grounds Race Course he was galloping at Evangeline Downs for trainer Sam Breaux. 

 

While his career as an exercise rider has not been long, he has already experienced great horses. This past winter he galloped 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan. “The first time I got on him, I was a bit nervous, just knowing the horse that I’m on, but once I went around there the first time, and then I just kept going with it every morning, it was pretty cool”  While he has not been aboard reigning horse of the year Thorpedo Anna, he would file that under a bucket list item. The McPeek barn has Take Charge Milady in the Kentucky Oaks, Mudd has been galloping her in the mornings.

 

Not only does his family have strong ties in racing, but he is now working alongside former jockey Robby Albarado, who is an assistant for McPeek. Albarado and the Mudd family have been close for years and Albarado has known Jamison since he was born.

“He is such a humble kid, he was raised right. He is really good on a horse, he’s got a bright future” Albarado sees a bright future for Mudd in the business.

One of McPeek’s other assistants, Greg Geier, who manages the Fair Grounds and Churchill Downs string, first took the chance on Mudd this past winter.  You might wonder why a seasoned assistant takes a chance on an 18 year old. “He’s a good hand, a good kid. Everybody told me he was a good hand-his uncles and Albarado, so we got him”

 

When asked about the horses or jockeys that provided inspiration growing up it’s no surprise to hear the names Kendrick Carmouche, Corey Lanerie,Johnny Valezaquez and Albarado. Carmouche, Lanerie, and Albarardo all spent a lot of time riding the tracks in Louisiana throughout their careers.  Most horse crazed kids have that one horse that sticks out in their mind, for Mudd it’s Rachel Alexandra. Growing  up he would run around the house pretending to be her.  

 

While his experience is limited thus far, he does have advice for others out there looking to break in the game. “Always be you, figure out what is best for you, the best moves to make. As far as being on the race track, no matter what, if you think no one’s watching, somebody is watching all the time.”

 

And because this time of year you can’t not ask someone who they like in the big race.

For Mudd its Publisher, Burnham Square, and Tiztastic.