Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux has won two races since returning to the saddle in mid-November, the 52-year-old's latest comeback from a career punctuated by his battles with alcoholism. Desormeaux missed nearly 10 months of riding due to a 60-day ban over a 2021 alcohol-induced disorderly conduct incident, as well as a 1/ST Racing ban due to a January arrest in his home state of Louisiana on domestic battery and abuse charges.
In a frank interview with Thoroughbred Racing Commentary, the three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey explained what would be different this time around. Desormeaux said he spent 30 days in an inpatient treatment center called Elevate, and said that for the first time he was learning to become “mentally healthy” and to deal with his “inner feelings.”
“I hope to continue those lessons through my aftercare,” Desormeaux told TRC. “I want to be remembered as one who never gave up, even after being thrown in a hole, a hole that I dug. This last hole was the deepest I've ever dug and the toughest out ever… I don't think there is another chance.
“I should be a perfect example to stay away from alcohol. Because it is legal, it could be the worst drug ever.
“Don't get involved with it because it can destroy your family. It has mine, twice. It can destroy your career, it has mine, several times. It can destroy your finances, it has mine, several times. If you want to lose those things and your legacy, get involved with alcohol, it will take it all.”
Desormeaux has set a goal for himself to surpass Eddie Delahoussaye's career score of 6,384 wins, Louisiana's winningmost jockey. Desormeaux's current tally stands at 6,118 wins, 19th most in North American history.
He knows it won't be an easy path to fight his way back to the top riding spots in Southern California, but Desormeaux said he's willing to put in the work and that he has the support of his friends and family, as well as several trainers on the backstretch.
“Getting myself cleaned up was not the hardest part,” Desormeaux admitted. “The hardest part was getting approval from those outside looking in. That was embarrassing to me. Now I have to earn their trust and show they were correct in their decision.”
Read more at the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary.
The post ‘This Last Hole Was The Deepest I’ve Ever Dug’: Desormeaux Determined To Win Battle Against Alcohol appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
