Equestrianism is a traditional pastime that has developed into a distinguished sport. Horse racing combines skill and coordination to deliver moments of magic. This sport also relies on strong bonds between riders and their horses to entertain audiences.
An athlete who mounts a horse in horse racing is known as a jockey. Like any other competitive sport, there have been a variety of notable bust-ups between jockeys in horse racing. These busts often occur on and off the track. Our guide takes you back memory lane by reviewing some of the most significant horse racing bust-ups in history.
Calvin Borel and Javier Castellano Dispute at the 2010 Breeder’s Cup
Both jockeys almost got into a physical altercation in 2010. Castellano’s horse manoeuvered recklessly, almost knocking down Borel’s mount. This incident disturbed several horses’ movements, and Borel was immediately upset because he thought the action was reckless and put the riders and their horses in danger.
After they completed the race, Borel, who is usually calm, confronted Castellano in an uncharacteristic display of rage. Other riders and officials immediately separated the two jockeys as Borel continued to express his annoyance. It took some minutes for Borel to calm down. His wife and brother grabbed his arms and led him back to the jockey’s room.
Although these two later resolved their dispute, they were summoned for a disciplinary hearing. Castellano was fined for his reckless act, while Borel was penalized for his outburst.
James Flores and Omar Reyes (2018)
One of the most dramatic incidents in horse racing history was the altercation between James Flores and Omar Reyes. On September 30, 2018, these two riders had an aggressive race. The jockey’s room later witnessed a verbal and physical exchange due to the race’s aggression. Other jockeys and officials noticed this action and attempted, but were unable, to break up the fight.
In the horse racing community, the video of the altercation, which showed the intensity of the argument and the attempts to bring the situation under control, generated a lot of conversation about jockey professionalism and sportsmanship.
Authorities in charge of horse racing invited Flores and Reyes to discuss their actions. Due to the incident, disciplinary reviews were conducted, and the penalties included fines and temporary suspensions.
William Buick and Joey Haynes Altercation

During a race at Lingfield Park in November 2020, Joey Haynes’ horse, a one-eyed runner, was hindered by William Buick’s mount, which caused tension. After the race, Haynes, obviously irritated by what he saw as a careless or reckless move, confronted Buick, starting a heated argument that eventually got out of hand.
Haynes, whose horse needed extra care and attention because of its poor vision, appeared especially displeased with the action, feeling that it jeopardised his safety and that of his horse. Although there was no physical violence, the confrontation quickly escalated, requiring track officials and security personnel to intervene. The dispute became so heated that police were called to help calm the situation.
After the incident, racing authorities reviewed Buick’s action, although it was unclear whether any disciplinary measures were taken.
Irad Ortiz Jr. Vs. Paco Lopez at Gulfstream Park
Paco Lopez and Irad Ortiz Jr. are known to be aggressive and competitive horse riders. So it was not much of a surprise when both jockeys got into a scuffle at Gulfstream Park in 2021. Ortiz confronted Lopez while he was sitting after the race and punched him repeatedly. This action caught the onlookers and officials off guard. Security agents present quickly intervened to prevent the matter from escalating.
Video footage of this incident, which was captured, rapidly circulated on social media and set off an upsurge of responses from racing insiders, fans, and commentators. Ortiz was fined $1000 for his actions, and both were placed on probation.
Conclusion
Ultimately, these Jockey bust-ups show the extreme pressure and passion of horse racing, where competitors must contend with intense scrutiny, balancing physical demands, and making snap decisions in a fiercely competitive and emotionally charged setting.
Some of these bust-ups are quite bizarre and for most it is hard to comprehend why such incidents took place. But they do make for an interesting read. If you follow news headlines from askgamblers.com you’ll be able to stay involved with the latest sporting news, including horse racing news, so you don’t miss out on any of the juicy bits!
There’s so much more spotlight on the sport now than used to be the case. It seems like the popularity for the sport has increased and part of that can be to do with how much it is promoted on betting sites. There are so many sites with exclusive bonuses to key racing events and it gets people involved who previously might not have had such interest in it.