Martin Haiber, who grew up in the racing industry and was licensed as jockey in 1987, is the 2022 Backstretch Worker of the Year for Laurel Park given his contributions to the Rodney Jenkins barn for the past seven years.
Haiber, soon to be 61 years old, works as a hot walker for Jenkins. But his father owned racehorses before he was born, and Haiber grew up spending time around horses. He received his first Maryland Racing Commission license in 1980 and worked with his father on a breeding farm and at Marlboro racetrack, which for a period of time also served as a training center.
“I've been around horses my whole life,” Haiber said.
Haiber said he always wanted to be a jockey, and that dream came true in 1987. He rode through 1994, and in 1988 won 32 races primarily at Delaware Park and Charles Town. He said a highlight was winning three races and finishing second in four mounts at Marlboro, which at that time only had one or two racing days a year.
“It's what I always wanted to be—a jockey,” said Haiber, who was based at the Bowie Training Center for about 15 years working for his father, Louis Capuano and others. He then went to Laurel to work for Kenny Tucker, and Eveline Kjelstrup, assistant to Jenkins, asked him if he would walk some horses for the Jenkins barn. Haiber did so willingly.
“What's important to me is just being around horses,” said Haiber, who has lived in Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Landover and Chesapeake Beach in Maryland. “If I miss a few days I don't feel right. It's in my blood. I'd like to say 'thank you' to Eveline and Mr. Jenkins.”
The post ‘It’s In My Blood’: 61-Year-Old Martin Haiber Named Laurel’s Backstretch Worker Of The Year appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
