Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux will be permitted to ride at all 1/ST Racing properties, including Santa Anita Park, according to a statement released by the company Dec. 2.
The statement said the following: “Kent Desormeaux is permitted to return ride at 1/ST Racing venues on Saturday, Dec. 3, under a mutual agreement signed on Dec. 1. We wish Kent success in his return to the saddle.“
Desormeaux, 52, had previously been banned from riding at 1/ST Racing tracks due to a series of transgressions. He failed to comply with an agreement he signed with the Winner's Foundation, a program that assists California racetrack workers with substance abuse, and he was arrested Jan. 23 for domestic abuse and battery in Louisiana and later served a 60-day suspension from California stewards for disorderly conduct during the 2021 Del Mar fall meet, when he got in an altercation and used a racial slur.
Desormeaux has acknowledged troubles with alcohol.
The upcoming Santa Anita meet begins Dec. 26. Racing in California is currently taking place at Del Mar, though many horses continue to train daily at Santa Anita, and jockeys will breeze horses there.
After doing a stint in rehab this year, Desormeaux resumed riding Nov. 18 at Del Mar, which did not prohibit his participation. Through Dec. 2, he had yet to find the winner's circle in 11 rides this fall. He has five scheduled mounts this weekend at Del Mar.
