Paco Lopez prevails on two-year-old National Law but the horse was later punished severeley by the jockey for his hanging antics (Nikki Sherman/EQUI-PHOTO).
‘I Have Decided To Take Time Away From Racing’: Paco Lopez Issues Public Apology
Veteran reinsman Paco Lopez has issued a public apology for his actions with 2-year-old National Law after the fifth race at Parx Racing on Tuesday, Dec. 3, which led to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority issuing Lopez a provisional suspension on Wednesday. Lopez was taken off his mounts at Parx on Wednesday, and will not be permitted to ride at tracks within HISA’s jurisdiction until his case is fully adjudicated.
“I take full responsibility for my actions,” Lopez wrote in a statement posted to his social media accounts. “I am aware that our sport is under a lot of scrutiny and I fully apologize to everyone involved in our sport – fans, horsemen, management, racing commissions, HISA, and of course, National Law. My actions were reactionary, in the heat of the moment, and I am truly sorry.
“I have seen the many social media postings, which have led me to reflect on the situation. I have decided to take time away from racing and, in the path of several of my fellow riders, seek appropriate counseling and work on myself.
“It cannot be overstated how much I love horses and this industry. Horseracing has been my whole life and I look forward to a return in the near future.”
Lopez was aboard 2-year-old National Law in the fifth race at Parx on Tuesday when the colt bore out badly, all the way to the outside rail, but still managed to hang on and win the race. After the race. Lopez had the colt nearly pulled up near an outrider when the jockey took his riding crop in his right hand and brutally hit the 2-year-old across the upper neck.
HISA’s response, issued late Wednesday morning, was to provisionally suspend Lopez while the adjudication process plays out.
A spokesperson for HISA said: “HISA’s mission is to uphold the highest standards of safety and integrity in horse racing,” a HISA spokesperson said. “We take any abuse or behavior that undermines the trust placed in our sport by its participants and fans with the utmost seriousness.”
“Today I spoke at length with Paco Lopez’s representatives. They shared Lopez’s remorse for his actions and his commitment to undergo counseling to address his recent conduct. We also agreed Lopez would make meaningful donations to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and Thoroughbred aftercare organization Second Call prior to the end of the year and that we would meet after he completes his counseling program to discuss his progress.
“Once HISA is satisfied Lopez has dealt with his issues and is ready to commit himself to prioritizing horse welfare and the safety of his fellow jockeys,” Lazarus continued, “we will discuss his eventual return to Thoroughbred racing. Until such time, the parties have agreed that Lopez will be suspended indefinitely.”
National Law’s trainer, Jorge Duarte, Jr., also publicly apologized, despite initially posting a statement in support of Lopez. By Wednesday afternoon, Duarte’s original post had been deleted, and the trainer issued the following apology on his social media pages:
“I’d like to sincerely apologize for publicly defending the actions of Paco Lopez.
“National Law drifted to the outside rail coming down the stretch and Paco Lopez did an excellent job managing to keep the horse from jumping the rail, potentially injuring himself as well as the horse. After crossing the wire, Paco Lopez pulled up National Law and felt as if the horse was going to carry on with his green antics, he then struck the horse on the neck/face region, which is egregious and uncalled for. I am not a perfect human, and I regretfully let my emotions control the moment and took to social media to defend Paco Lopez’s actions, which I have since deleted. There is never a place to take out anger and frustration on any animal.
“Colts Neck Stables is a globally renowned operation, a reputation we don’t take for granted, and we do not condone this type of behavior in this sport we love.
“I understand the scrutiny I have received since defending his actions, and I will learn from this mistake and will continue to give the best care to all horses in my care. I support any decisions made by the stewards at Parx and HISA.”
In February 2019, Lopez was given a 30-day suspension at Gulfstream for causing a two-horse spill in which Romero Maragh and Carlos Montalvo were left with broken bones and sidelined.
In 2022, Lopez was suspended five days for interfering with another horse during a July 1 race at Monmouth. Lopez was aboard Midnight Diva and came out on the far turn, causing rival La Costa to clip heels and stumble badly with rider Nik Juarez, who later initiated a fight with him about the incident and was suspended himself.
Also in 2022, Lopez got a 14-day suspension for his ride in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth aboard In Due Time, which caused two other horses to fall.
