Jockey Antonio Fresu will trip in his first Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve this yr when he will get a leg up from coach Phil D’Amato – additionally a first-time participant within the run for the roses – on Stronghold, the winner of the April 6 Santa Anita Derby and Feb. 18 Sunland Park Derby.
Fresu, 32, solely started using in america on a full-time foundation in April of 2023 and shortly after was among the many main riders at Santa Anita Park and Del Mar. Previous to his U.S. arrival, he rode primarily in his native Italy and in Dubai, the place he received his first top-level stakes aboard Zenden within the 2021 Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Group Information.
Fresu might be using at Churchill Downs for the primary time two days earlier than the Might 4 Derby. The rider has three mounts, all on turf, main as much as the large race.
He might be joined on the Derby by his spouse, Veronika Aske, a Norwegian TV presenter who additionally rode races and has skilled in Dubai.
Fresu was interviewed April 22, and his solutions are edited for readability and area.
BloodHorse: Was your loved ones concerned in racing?
Antonio Fresu: I’m the fourth era of jockeys. My great-grandfather, grandfather, and my father have been jockeys, additionally my uncle, who continues to be using a little bit bit in [Italy].
BH: Did your loved ones encourage you to turn out to be a jockey?
AF: They actually didn’t fancy the thought of me turning into a jockey. I used to be at all times going to the stables, mucking out the containers, and strolling the horses, however to start with my household actually didn’t give me an opportunity [to ride]. They have been scared to place me on a horse. It’s a troublesome sport and a tough life. My dad at all times had an issue along with his weight and so he was anxious about me being heavy.
However I used to be cussed and actually needed to do that. Once I was 18, I went to the jockey faculty in Pisa, Italy, the place I began to learn to trip. I rode my first skilled race Might 17, 2011. I’d say I received over 600 [races] in Italy.
BH: What have been the circumstances that led you to trip in Dubai, a transfer which then introduced you to Southern California?
AF: Once I was using in Italy, I rode for one of many greatest trainers, Alduino Botti. After a few years, I used to be doing very well and he prompt to me – as a result of Italian racing wasn’t going nice at the moment – to go away as a result of I used to be nonetheless actually younger and nonetheless studying. I made a decision to go to his son, Marco Botti, who was coaching in England in Newmarket. I stayed a few years there. It was an excellent studying expertise for me as a result of I didn’t communicate English earlier than that.
It was actually arduous for me to get rides within the UK. I took it as an expertise; I’d recommend that to anyone. However for me, at that time, I wasn’t going wherever. I’m actually bold and needed extra. I took a step again, went to Italy once more to construct up some confidence.
In 2016, [trainer] Erwan Charpy was searching for a jockey in Dubai. I took that job and spent winters there after which would return to Italy. A good friend of mine, who was my [agent] in Dubai, Michael Adolphson, prompt I am going to America as a result of he at all times believed that sooner or later that I’d [get on] the aircraft and go there. I acquired my visa late in 2019, however I had an excellent job on the time and didn’t wish to go away it, after which COVID began. All the pieces was delayed.
Michael had put me in a great place with [trainer] Doug O’Neill and I rode for him in Dubai. Doug informed me I ought to come to California. I used to be nonetheless undecided. In 2023, Doug got here once more to Dubai with horses and informed me, “Man, you have to come to California. What are you doing? You come and see the way you prefer it, and if you happen to don’t, you return.” I informed Doug if he gave me his help, I’d come. I simply didn’t wish to go there to have an journey, don’t have any agent, and know no person in California.
BH: Your agent, Tom Knust, is a revered veteran on the California circuit. How did you two start working collectively?
AF: Doug put me along with Tom. He informed me he was an excellent agent and an excellent individual, too. I can verify that. Tom and Doug have been giving me a whole lot of possibilities whereas placing me on good horses at the start, so folks began noticing me.
BH: Had been you stunned at how rapidly you discovered success within the U.S.?
AF: Yeah, a little bit bit. In a brand new place, you at all times have to begin from the underside – generally, even beneath the underside. It’s a troublesome sport. Very aggressive. Clearly, I got here right here with ambitions and targets. I needed to be taught extra as a result of there may be at all times one thing to be taught, day by day.
BH: What’s the most important distinction within the model of racing and using within the U.S. in comparison with Italy, Dubai, and the European tracks you’ve ridden at?
AF: In Europe, you don’t take a look at the clock, as a result of all of the tracks are completely different, a little bit bit up and down, longer stretches, possibly there may be smooth floor, so you’ll be able to’t go by the clock such as you do right here in America.
Right here it’s extra about following the tempo and being tactical since you at all times should be in the correct spot. You have to use your head quite a bit.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to trip in Dubai on the grime, so I had some background once I got here right here. That helped me quite a bit.
BH: What do you take into account to be your greatest energy as a rider?
AF: I don’t know; I let different folks decide me. Typically I’m actually arduous on myself as a result of I at all times attempt to enhance. Once I make a little bit mistake, I get mad at myself. One factor I can say is that my spouse, who rode races, may be very robust on me. I really like her as a result of we by no means battle, however she may be very robust on me. She watches all of the races. Once I win, she doesn’t say a lot, however once I give an excellent trip, she’s going to say, ‘Good trip.’ Some days, once I give dangerous rides, as a result of that occurs, she’s going to discover even the littlest mistake and says, ‘Why did you do this?’ I don’t get mad at her as a result of I’m already mad at myself. My spouse retains me mentally robust.
BH: You and Frankie Dettori each come from Italy. Did you take into account him an idol earlier than you started using and do you search recommendation from him now that you simply’re each in Southern California?
AF: He was and nonetheless is my idol. I believe he’s the very best jockey on the earth and likewise a really good individual. Driving collectively now, it’s an honor for me. He helps me quite a bit with recommendation or placing in an excellent phrase for me. We’re good mates.
BH: How lengthy do you intend on remaining within the U.S.?
AF: Oh, I’m going to remain right here. I wish to construct up my life right here.
BH: How are you feeling about using your first Kentucky Derby aboard Stronghold?
AF: Superb. Not even one yr on this nation and already one objective has turn out to be a actuality. Everybody goals about this and I’m lucky to be in it.
BH: Do you assume you’ll really feel pre-race nervousness?
AF: For me, using a Grade 1 or a claiming race, I simply wish to win. That’s my mentality; it’s not about excited about the rest. I really feel actually comfy using in huge races. Really, it offers me an excellent buzz.
BH: Have you ever sought any recommendation out of your fellow jockeys about using within the Derby?
AF: Sure, I’ve been speaking with [Kent] Desormeaux and Mike Smith. Clearly, I requested them as a result of they’re Corridor of Fame jockeys and Desormeaux received three Derbys and Mike has received two. They informed me you have to get your horse comfy. The horse wants to love the monitor. Mike informed me that it is vitally vital and an excellent factor that [Stronghold] broke his maiden final yr at Churchill [with Joe Talamo aboard]. It confirmed he dealt with the monitor. They informed me you need to watch out with the tempo as a result of they go actually quick and, on the bottom, you have to get your finest place.
BH: You’ve ridden Stronghold in 4 of his six races, together with his wins within the Sunland Park Derby and Santa Anita Derby. What sort of horse is he to trip? Have you ever seen a distinction in him from 2 to three?
AF: He’s a cool horse to trip. He has some tactical pace; likes to focus on one thing. The primary time I breezed him at 2, he was exhibiting quite a bit, however in his races he was nonetheless a little bit bit immature. I seen a giant distinction in him this yr. When he was alone in entrance within the Sunland Derby, he pricked his ears and was trying round, nonetheless a bit inexperienced. Going to Sunland Park was an excellent transfer as a result of that gave him a lift to his confidence within the Santa Anita Derby. When he got here again from Sunland, the horse was appearing extra mature and assured. In his breeze earlier than the Santa Anita Derby, he gave me the arrogance that he was going to be a giant contender. There, he broke actually sharp and relaxed so properly behind the tempo. From there, I might have completed no matter I needed. As quickly as we had the racing room and he noticed the daylight, he went in there [easily]. In two jumps, he was already in entrance. The opposite horse [Imagination, with Dettori aboard] was coming again at me, I believe I hit my horse a couple of times, after which put down the stick. I used to be simply going fingers and heels as a result of I might really feel he was at all times responding to the assault of the opposite horse.
BH: From watching the Derby preps, who do you are feeling are the horses to beat?
AF: Sierra Leone is a monster. The way in which Fierceness received his final race [Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa] was actually spectacular. These are the highest two contenders, however I additionally just like the Japanese horse, Perpetually Younger. He’s unbeaten. I additionally like [Resilience]. I favored his [April 22] breeze. Exhausting to say, although – a 50-1 shot can win the Derby.
