Page 96 - Speedhorse June 2019

Jamie Zamora
“. . . I am happy doing what I’m doing, where I’m doing it and whoIgettodo it with.”
by John Moorehouse
NAME: Jamie Zamora HOME BASE: Ruidoso, NM YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 40
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: “We have qualified two race horses for the World Show in the performance Halter. Pagan Stone was the gelding’s name.”
FAVORITE HOBBY: “My life revolves around my three grandsons. They are my hobby! Chris and I drive to Albuquerque once a week to go to games, performances or just to get a hug!”
It’s been a busy spring for Jamie Zamora. Working in the racing office at Ruidoso Downs, which opened its annual meet earlier than usual this year, Zamora – the program coordinator – single-handedly opened
the office in April while her regular help was still working the meet at Sunland Park.
She wouldn’t have it any other way, though. “Racing has been a part of my entire life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
The daughter of former jockey LeRoy Tipton, Zamora had a substantial career as a trainer, accumulating almost $3.2 million in total winnings with Quarter Horses. She and her husband, former jockey turned trainer Chris Zamora, still run their own horses. In addition to working in the Ruidoso racing office and as assistant racing secretary at Zia Park, Zamora also created Race To Whip Cancer, an annual one-day racing event held at Zia Park to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research.
Zamora talks about that event and so much more in the latest installment of our Backside feature.
Q: I’ve read and seen that you’re a breast cancer survivor, and you helped organize Race To Whip Cancer Day. What does this cause mean for you?
A: “I created Race To Whip Cancer in October 2009 at Zia Park, three years after my cancer diagnosis. Since then, we’ve had 30 events at New Mexico racetracks. My family and friends help me so much. Without them, I couldn’t do what I do. It warms my heart. We pay for mammograms for horsewomen and families. We’ve donated to Komen, Altrusa, UNM Cancer Center Research and Development, and I truly believe we are making a difference. This is my way of “paying it forward.” I was one of the lucky ones; my cancer was caught early, I was treated and I’m a survivor!”
Q: Your husband is a former jockey
and you both have experience training horses. How many horses are you work- ing with currently?
A: “When Chris retired from riding and started training, I quit training and went to work in the racing office at Ruidoso Downs as the program coordinator and I also work for Ruidoso Horse Sale Company inputting all the sale data during the sales here at Ruidoso Downs. I’m assistant racing secretary at Zia Park. My first racing office job was at La Mesa Park working for Andy Gillespie when I was still in high school.”
Q: Any particular challenges involved in working in the sport with your spouse?
A: “No barn needs two trainers. Besides, he had always called the shots at the barn and rode the horses. We won a lot of races, he made me look good! (Working together) 24/7 can be a bit much in any situation, but we’ve made it work for 30 years. We feed off of each other’s knowledge and experience. It’s nice to talk shop to someone that actually understands.”
Q: You’ve had several roles in the horse racing world. Which have you enjoyed the most, and why?
A: “I was Chris’ agent for 11 years and I think I enjoyed that job at the track more than any other. We killed it and all the money stayed at home. The racing industry has paid my bills most of my life. Am I rich? NO. Am I poor? NO. But I am happy doing what I’m doing, where I’m doing it and who I get to do it with.”
Q: Any advice for a young person look- ing to enter the horse racing world?
A: “If a young person asked me if they should try it, I would say absolutely. Prepare to work long and hard and meet some of the best people in the world. Racing has been a part of my entire life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. There are great life experiences both good and bad, but oh what a ride it has been!”
Q: And finally, what do you think needs to happen to ensure the continued future and success of the sport?
A: “We need to bring integrity back to the sport. We are great people. Decent people. Honest, hard- working people. The world needs to know that about us!”
JAMIE ZAMORA
John Moorehouse
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SPEEDHORSE, June 2019
THE BACKSIDE