Talamo Returns to the Saddle Where It All Began at Fair Grounds

By Kevin Kilroy —-

Talamo Returns to the Saddle Where It All Began at Fair Grounds

NEW ORLEANS (Nov. 11, 2026) — Nearly two decades after launching his career with a historic riding title at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Eclipse Award-winning jockey Joe Talamo is returning to the saddle with a fresh perspective and the same work ethic that helped establish him among the nation’s leading riders.

“Getting back to the Boot, baby. Back to the Boot!” Talamo said. “Fair Grounds is home to me. When I was a little kid, my biggest goal was to be leading rider there and beat Robby Albarado. I felt like if I could accomplish that, I could retire at 17. That was my goal growing up.”

Talamo accomplished that goal during the 2006-07 Fair Grounds meet, becoming the first apprentice jockey to capture the track’s riding title. The Louisiana native rode 119 winners, finishing 26 victories ahead of Albarado, and went on to earn the 2007 Eclipse Award as North America’s outstanding apprentice jockey.

After stepping away from race riding in October 2024 and working as an analyst for FanDuel TV, Talamo is preparing to return to the track where his career took off. Former trainer Ron Faucheux will serve as his agent.

“When things wrapped up at FanDuel back in June, I spent two or three months traveling with my family,” Talamo said. “We had an absolute blast going around the country. I had never had that much time off in my life. But after a while, I just got bored. I’m not very good at sitting around. I need something to do.”

Talamo eventually found his way back to the barn, exercising horses in the mornings for trainers Bob Baffert, Kenny McPeek and Ian Wilkes, among others.

“The first horse I got on was for Ian Wilkes, just to see how I felt,” Talamo said. “It was unbelievable. I thought he was going to let me gallop one, but I ended up working one instead. It felt like my clock hadn’t stopped at all. I started breezing more horses and continued feeling good. Finally, I thought, ‘Man, I feel too good not to give this another shot.’”

Talamo said he remained in riding shape throughout his time away. His weight has stayed at around 115 pounds, and a regular workout routine helped him maintain his fitness.

“I’m going to go down there and work as hard as I can,” Talamo said. “That’s what made me successful when I was a bug boy at Fair Grounds, and really throughout my whole career. I never considered myself the most talented rider, but I always knew I was going to try to outwork everybody.”

That work ethic helped Talamo build a career that includes 2,343 victories, more than $131 million in purse earnings and 24 Grade 1 wins.

Following his breakout season at Fair Grounds, Talamo became a fixture on the Southern California circuit. His major victories include the 2009 Wood Memorial (G1) aboard I Want Revenge, the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint aboard California Flag and the 2010 Santa Anita Derby (G1) aboard Sidney’s Candy. In 2016, he swept two of Southern California’s premier races for older horses, winning the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and Gold Cup (G1) aboard Melatonin.

He also captured riding titles at Santa Anita and Ellis Park, adding to a career resume that began with his historic apprentice season at Fair Grounds.

Talamo believes his time away from race riding could make him an even better jockey. Working alongside other analysts at FanDuel TV allowed him to study racing from a different perspective, sharpen his handicapping skills and develop a more critical eye for evaluating race strategy.

“Even though I rode for 18 years, I feel like I’m a much better handicapper now and much better at assessing my own riding than I ever was,” Talamo said. “I’ve learned so many different things from everybody at FanDuel. I really think that experience is going to make me a better rider.”

Nearly 20 years after exceeding his childhood expectations at Fair Grounds, Talamo returns with a wealth of experience and a new perspective.

“As far as expectations, I’m just going to get down there, work as hard as I can, try as hard as I can and see what happens,” Talamo said.

Talamo will join a jockey colony that includes Jose Ortiz, the leading rider in each of the past two Fair Grounds seasons, along with perennial leaders Brian Hernandez Jr., James Graham, Jareth Loveberry, Ben Curtis, Axel Concepcion and Marcelino Pedroza Jr.

Danny Sheehy, who has enjoyed success in Kentucky during his first full year riding in the United States, is another newcomer to the colony.

The 155th Fair Grounds racing season opens Thursday, Nov. 19.

About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, La., Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 13 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 155th Thoroughbred Racing Season will run from Nov. 19, 2026 through March 21, 2027. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.