Serafin Carmona's story is one of determination and perseverance in the world of horse racing. At 37 years old, he made the bold decision to pursue a career as a jockey, a sport typically dominated by teenagers. But Carmona's background as an exercise rider for 14 years gave him the confidence and skills needed to take on this new challenge.

"Age is Just a Number: Serafin Carmona's Jockey Comeback"

Early Years and Background

Carmona arrived in Southern California from Panama in 2009 and spent the next 14 years as an exercise rider. During this time, he worked with 14 to 15 horses a day, breaking in babies and handling the toughest ones. Trainers recognized his talent, and he was making a consistent income. However, he had responsibilities at home, including a fiancée and a child, which made him hesitant to take the leap into jockeying.His weight also posed a problem. It would often climb into the 130s, making him too heavy to ride. He tried to lose weight through dangerous means like starvation, but he knew that as a jockey, he might make nothing. The question of whether he could do it lingered in his heart.

The Turning Point

Last year, Carmona made a change. He started controlling his weight without starving and became more open to the idea of racing. His fiancée, Sofia Barandela, an active jockey herself, was his biggest supporter. She encouraged him to test himself, and finally, he took the plunge.On July 26, 2023, at the ripe young age of 36, Carmona made his jockey debut at Canterbury Park in Minnesota. At first, the results were disappointing. He went more than 100 races before his first win. But he didn't give up.

The Success Story

Finally, on January 28, Carmona achieved his first win at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans. Since then, he has been on a roll, scoring 73 more wins in 2024 and finishing second in the jockey standings at Canterbury. He returned to Southern California in September and has won three races during the Del Mar fall meeting.Carmona is now getting support from trainers and has a great agent, Chuck Costanza. He believes that his age is not an issue and that his body is physically younger than most jockeys his age. He feels blessed to have this opportunity and is glad that things have worked out the way they have.