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VALENTIN ZAMUDIO
“Horses have always been my passion. I knew I wanted to become a horse trainer as an adult and my dream came true!”
by John Moorehouse
THE BACKSIDE
HOME BASE: Los Alamitos, California YEARS EXPERIENCE: 12
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: Six graded stakes victories. Two-time winner of the El Primero Ana Derby, in 2017 and 2022, and the Governor’s Cup Futurity, in 2019 and 2020. Winner of last year’s running of the Ed Burke Million Futurity-G1.
HOBBIES: “Horses and my family.”
People find different paths to success in their career of choice. For Valentin Zamudio, success as a trainer meant working his way
up through the ranks. Based in southern California, Zamudio has been a fixture at Los Alamitos since 2000 and spent several years working as a groom and an assistant trainer before obtaining his trainer’s license in 2010.
“Horses have always been my passion,” Zamudio said, adding, “I grew up around horses
all my life and I have always loved to be around them. I knew I wanted to become a horse trainer as an adult and my dream came true!”
Among all Quarter Horse trainers nationwide, Zamudio has ranked in the top 50 in total wins eight times since 2011–peaking in 2017, when he was seventh in wins. He’s also coming off a very lucrative 2021 campaign, when his $1.052 million total was 21st nationally in earnings among trainers–also
the highest finish for him in his career in that statistical category. Golden Boi represented a big part of that total in 2021, winning the Ed Burke Million Futurity-G1.
Zamudio has had a strong year. Through all races run Sept. 14, he’s compiled 23 wins and more than $470,000 in prize money–that’s good enough to put Zamudio 33rd in earnings and 35th in victories.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN
THE SPORT?
“As a kid, I always worked with horses, and it has been my dream to one day become a horse trainer. I started working as a groom in 2000 at Los Alamitos Race Track. As I gained more experience in the horse racing industry and before I got my license to train, I was helping with training and running horses under my friend’s license. We did a 50/50 partnership that helped me progress and gain lots of knowledge in my early training career.”
HOW MANY ACTIVE HORSES DO YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW?
“38 active race horses.”
WHAT’S YOUR PHILOSOPHY WHEN IT COMES TO BREAKING AND TRAINING A HORSE?
“When breaking a 2-year-old horse we make sure we are patient and attempt to perfect how the horse will perform in training and in the actual race.”
WHO’S THE BEST HORSE YOU›VE WORKED WITH, AND WHY?
“The best horse I’ve ever worked with so far is Golden Boi. This horse is extraordinary and very talented. He has won lots of big races and has a great record.”
WHAT TRACK IS YOUR FAVORITE TO RUN AT, AND WHY?
“Los Alamitos is my home race track.”
WHAT’S YOUR ROUTINE ON A
RACE DAY?
“On a race day we make sure the horse has slept well and eaten all its food. I check to confirm the horse is in racing condition and let it rest all day until the time of the race.”
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?
“My goals are to hopefully be healthy and continue with this great sport while having success.”
ANYONE YOU’D LIKE TO THANK?
“I would like to give special thanks to all the horse owners for trusting me with their horses and to all my team (grooms, jockeys, vets, etc.) for helping me maintain these horses in great condition and ready for competition.”
Valentin Zamudio with Golden Boi after winning the Ed Burke Million Futurity at Los Alamitos.
Valentin Zamudio celebrates with friends after Pitbull No 3 wins the Governors Cup Futurity.
SPEEDHORSE October 2022 147
© Los Alamitos © Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse
© Los Alamitos