Honored in a ceremony February 10, Jessica Pyfer became just the third female jockey to receive the Eclipse Award as Outstanding Apprentice, America's highest honor for fledgling riders. In recognition of that accomplishment, Pyfer was voted Jockey of the Week for February 7 through February 13. The honor, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
Pyfer is part of a racing family as her mother is an exercise rider for trainer Phil D'Amato who is also Pyfer's stepfather. Her father, Roger, was also a jockey. She credits her mother for playing a role in her development both on and off the track. “My mom has been everything; she's the one that put me on a horse when I was a few days old,” said Pyfer. Though she started her professional riding career in her early twenties, later than most apprentices, she quickly become in demand on the very competitive Southern California circuit. Originally wanting to become a lawyer, Pyfer is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University with a degree in political science and a minor in constitutional law. A meeting with Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, however, convinced her to pursue a career as a professional jockey.
Pyfer, 23, won her first race on October 9, 2020 at Santa Anita. On May 16, 2021 she set what is believed to be a record in Southern California by becoming the first female apprentice to win four races in a single day. She tied for sixth place in the 2020-21 Santa Anita winter/spring meet and in the top 10 in the Del Mar rider standings. She led all North American apprentices by mount earnings last year and ranked second in wins. Her statistics after losing her weight allowance as an apprentice were 59 wins from 557 mounts with purse earnings of over $2.8 million.
Pyfer follows Rosemary Homeister, Jr. in 1992 and Emma-Jayne Wilson in 2005 as female recipients of the Outstanding Apprentice Eclipse Award.
Pyfer is confirmed to ride in the stc International Jockeys Challenge at King Abdulaziz Racetrack on February 25, the day before the $20 million Saudi Cup.
“I am super excited! It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Pyfer in the Saudi Cup press release.” I've only been race-riding for about a year and a half and have never competed outside the U.S., so for an opportunity like this to come along is pretty cool.”
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week were Gerardo Corrales who won a stakes race at Turfway Park, Irad Ortiz, Jr. with three stakes wins at Tampa Bay and led all jockeys in wins for the week with 13, Flavien Prat with a 40% win percentage and Joel Rosario who won the Eclipse Award as Outstanding Jockey and the Gr. III Razorback at Oaklawn.
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