Jockey Samy Camacho has never been afraid of hard work, but even by his standards, the past few months have marked a remarkable rise. Having already established himself as one of the leading riders at Tampa Bay Downs, the Venezuelan-born jockey has carried that momentum south to Gulfstream Park, where a change of scenery is rapidly turning into one of the standout stories of the Royal Palm Meet.
The opportunity arrived while Camacho was still enjoying another productive winter campaign at Tampa. The 37-year-old rider, long associated with Monmouth Park during the warmer months, received a call from jockey agent Tito Fuentes, who was searching for a new stable rider at Gulfstream Park following the planned departure of leading jockey Edgard Zayas to New York after the 2025-2026 Championship Meet.
Camacho admitted the decision was not immediate. Loyalty weighed heavily in his thinking after seven successful years working alongside agent Mike Moran at Tampa Bay Downs.
“Two or three months before Tampa ended, he called me,” Camacho explained. “He told me that Edgard was going to New York and he needed a rider for Gulfstream. I told him, ‘Give me one day,’ because I was working with Mike Moran at Tampa for seven years and I don’t like switching agents. That’s not my style.”
The timing, however, ultimately made the move possible. With Moran electing not to return to Monmouth this season, Camacho saw a rare opening to pursue a fresh challenge at one of Florida’s most competitive circuits.
“When I saw the opportunity with Zayas going to New York and him wanting me for his rider at Gulfstream, I said, ‘You know what? I have to take this chance,’” Camacho said.
That decision has already paid significant dividends.
After recording three winners on consecutive race cards last weekend, Camacho surged to the top of the Royal Palm Meet standings with 41 victories, placing him 11 clear of his nearest challenger. His mounts have been winning at an impressive 23-percent strike rate, while his earnings for the meet have already climbed beyond $1.45 million.
The success has not come as a surprise to those familiar with Camacho’s consistency over recent seasons. Recognisable for his colourful hairstyles and upbeat personality around the jockeys’ room, he has become equally respected for his determination and professionalism on the racetrack.
“I enjoy every day. I’m a human. I make mistakes sometimes, but that’s part of the business,” Camacho said. “I try to enjoy every day and learn working with Tito.”
Camacho’s journey to the top levels of American racing has been gradual rather than immediate. After leaving Caracas, Venezuela, in 2012, he began riding at Parx and partnered 32 winners during his first season in the United States. Opportunities became more limited over the following years, but his career found stability after relocating to Tampa Bay Downs full-time in 2016.
From there, his reputation steadily grew. Camacho went on to capture five riding titles at Tampa and has now accumulated 1,667 career victories with purse earnings surpassing $41 million.
His current form at Gulfstream Park suggests another important chapter may still lie ahead. With the Royal Palm Meet continuing through the summer, Samy Camacho Gulfstream Park has quickly become one of the defining combinations of the season in South Florida racing circles.
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