Nakatomi’s Rider Has Been With Him Since Day One

Wandering Eyes · 2025-10-21T20:30:32Z

It's rare for a racehorse to have the same exercise rider for his entire career. It's almost unheard of for one rider to have been with a horse since the first time a saddle was on his back. But such is the case for Breeders' Cup hopeful Nakatomi (Firing Line).

Jose Hernandez was the first person to ride the Grade I winner when he was just a yearling at Wesley Ward's farm, and five years later, he's still the one galloping him each morning at Keeneland.

From the first time he sat on Nakatomi, Hernandez had a gut feeling about the oftentimes-fiery chestnut.

“I remember when I got on him, I told one of the other guys that I really liked this horse because he felt so strong,” he recalled. “I got on him every day after that. Three months later he moved to the training track here at Keeneland and then he won his first start.”

That winning debut came in April of 2021. In the years since, Nakatomi has grown into the star veteran of Ward's barn. As consistent as he is fast, the seasoned sprinter is Ward's all-time leading earner and has raced on three different continents.

After a trip to Royal Ascot as a 2-year-old, Nakatomi won the 2021 Bowman Mill Stakes. Later as a 4-year-old, he placed in four graded stakes including the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Last year at five, he traveled to Dubai to run third in the G1 Golden Shaheen before earning his first graded victory in the GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap for owners Qatar Racing and Mrs. Fitriani Hay.

With each passing season, Nakatomi seems to get sharper and tougher. After finishing second in his return trip to Dubai for the 2025 Golden Shaheen, the gelding turned in one of his best performances yet with his win in the GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes on Oct. 3. The six-furlong contest was a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint.

As Nakatomi gears up for his third consecutive trip to the Breeders' Cup, his rider believes that at 6 years old, he may have his best shot yet.

“He's getting better and better,” said Hernandez. “He's really quiet when we go to the track, but then when he steps onto the track he's jumping around and ready to go.”

With nearly three decades of experience, Hernandez knows when a horse is ready to run.

Jose Hernandez ahead of the 2022 Breeders' Cup

Hernandez and Golden. Pal ahead of the 2022 Breeders' Cup | Coady

Originally from Mexico, Hernandez moved to Texas 25 years ago and got a job breaking Thoroughbreds. Though he had worked with ranch horses back home, riding racehorses was completely different. At first, Hernandez worried he had made a mistake taking the job.

“I've always liked horses,” he said. “But when the guy put me on the horse for the first time, the saddle was completely different! I fell off maybe three or four times that day. It was kind of scary.”

Hernandez stuck with it, and it didn't take long before he was thriving in the role. After 10 years he moved to Florida. There he met Wesley Ward, who encouraged him to come ride for him in Kentucky.

Hernandez has now worked for Ward for 13 years. His job is unlike most regular exercise riders, who ride only during morning training. Ward has a year-round base at Keeneland as well as a farm where he breaks yearlings. Hernandez has an important role at both locations.

During the fall months when Ward's team is busy breaking babies, Hernandez starts his morning at Keeneland at 6:30. He rides seven or eight horses there, then moves over to the farm to work with the yearlings around 11:00.

Hernandez with Wesley Ward and fellow Ward team veteran Osman Quevedo | Katie Petrunyak

Hernandez said that working with the young horses is his favorite part of his job.

“I've been breaking babies for a long time,” he said. “When you get on them for the first time, you never know what the horse is going to do. Not all the babies are the same. It takes a lot of patience.”

He explained that the goal is to keep the youngsters calm and engaged, making every day a positive experience for them. Initially, the yearlings are saddled two to a stall to help them stay relaxed. They progress to being ridden up and down the barn aisle, and by the time they're ready to leave the farm about three months after arriving, they can gallop in a group in the pasture

After the breaking process is done each day, Hernandez spends the afternoons filling whatever role is needed on the farm. He helps maintain the grounds, mowing pastures and seeding grass, and works closely with the mares and foals, ensuring the younger horses get the attention and handling they need.

“I'm with the horses all day,” he said. “I see them when they're babies and see how they grow. I think you learn more that way.”

Nakatomi and Hernandez preparing for the 2025 Breeders' Cup | Sara Gordon

During his time with Ward, some of the most memorable horses he has worked with include Like the King (Palace Malice), who won the 2021 GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks and went to the GI Kentucky Derby that year, and champion Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), winner of the 2020 GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

“Golden Pal had a lot of talent,” Hernandez recalled. “I really liked galloping him. He was easy.”

Hernandez is hoping that in a few weeks, he can add a second Breeders' Cup winner to his resume.

Following his Grade II score at Keeneland, Nakatomi breezed a sharp five furlongs in :59.20 on Monday, Oct. 20 in one of his final works before he ships to Del Mar.

“Julio Garcia is the one who breezes the horse and I always ask Julio after he breezes how he did and he always tells me he was good,” said Hernandez with a proud smile. “I'm so happy and so glad Nakatomi got to win the race at Keeneland and now he is going to the Breeders' Cup. I feel good for him and I hope we can bring the victory to the barn.”

Nakatomi's career reflects both his talent and the experience of the rider who has been with him from the very beginning. Their rare bond, built through years of steady training and shared triumphs, has brought Nakatomi to the sport's top level and a chance to secure a long-awaited Breeders' Cup victory.