Walter Cicero Turned Hard Work into His Passport to International Racing

From jockey to valet and trusted exercise rider, the argentine recounts his journey from home to the Dubai World Cup

Walter Cicero breezing Little Vic at Meydan / DRC

By Diego H. Mitagstein

(Special Correspondent for Turf Diario in Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates.- Based in the United States for nearly three decades, Walter Cicero embodies the profile of an Argentine who, through sacrifice and perseverance, has forged a path abroad in pursuit of a dream and a better life. Today, his experience and professionalism have taken him to Meydan, where he is participating in the Dubai World Cup festival as the exercise rider for Little Vic (Practical Joke) and Steal Sunshine (Constitution), both set to contest the Godolphin Mile (G2).

“I moved to the U.S. in '96 at the age of 21, hired by Rosuer Stable, owned by Jorge Fernández, and managed to win a few races. I've done it all since then, always staying close to horses, which have taken me to many different countries, including this one, where I've had the chance to come a few times,” Cicero shared after breezing Little Vic at Meydan. Speaking in between morning sets before taking Steal Sunshine to the training track, he was delighted to chat with Turf Diario.

"My life has been a long journey, full of hard work. At the beginning, it wasn’t easy at all, but I never stepped away from horses. I love this sport and learned to adapt to different roles to keep moving forward," said Cicero, who rode professionally in Argentina before embarking on his adventure in the United States.

Reflecting on his time as a jockey, he admitted: "It didn’t go as well as I thought it could. This is a profession where you need luck, and that luck is called 'horse.' We only contribute a small percentage of the performance—the rest is up to them. I broke nine bones, had seven or eight surgeries... It was tough."

The challenges at the start and the misfortunes of fate led him to step away from the racetrack for a while: "At one point, I left the business and did all sorts of jobs. I parked cars, washed cars... I started from the bottom again, but I got back on my feet. I've been in the U.S. for 30 years now, with my wife and three kids."

"For the past 22 years, I've worked as a valet for several jockeys, and it's been great. I’ve been fortunate to work with José and Irad Ortiz Jr., John Velazquez, as well as Jorge Ruiz Díaz and Horacio Karamanos," he said proudly of the role he carved out for himself in the industry, always serving as a strong support for many riders.

Many leave home looking for a better life, but not everyone finds their place abroad. In his case, he confessed: "I adapted to the country, but I’ll always be Argentine at heart. Of course, I miss the traditions, and I go back whenever I can. But many of my friends have left the business, and some are no longer with us... The show must go on—it’s just the way it is."

"I built a completely normal life outside of racing—I live well. I own a tree-cutting business, something I did as a kid in Argentina, and I take care of landscaping for some houses. I do a bit of everything, but horses have always been my passion. The thing is, by 8 a.m., I'm done with my track work, so I take on other jobs. I even built my own house."

"I spend six months in Tampa, where I've been a valet for Samy Camacho for the past five years, and the other six in Monmouth Park, working with Paco López—I've been there for 20 years. I’ve been lucky in this profession—we’ve won over 9,000 races," he said with enthusiasm.

Cicero is thrilled about the success of Argentine jockeys in the U.S.: "It’s always been tough for them to get opportunities there. Some, like Horacio or Jorge, made the move and thrived, while others couldn’t stick it out. They miss home, their families, the traditions. Those who endure and push through will succeed because they have the talent. In my case, I made the decision to leave back then, and today, I’m happy with that choice."

As for how he ended up at Meydan for the Dubai World Cup, he explained: "I came here with Little Vic, but under contract, since I work as an exercise rider with Kathy O'Connor in Tampa Bay and New Jersey. Juan Carlos Avila, the horse’s trainer, asked if I wanted to ride him—I said yes, and here I am. Steal Sunshine was a different case; they gave him to me in Meydan because he didn’t have an exercise rider. These are the kinds of opportunities you have to take advantage of."

Walter Cicero’s story mirrors that of many Argentines who seek a brighter future far from home and, through hard work and perseverance, make a name for themselves in their profession. In a fiercely competitive world like horse racing, his journey stands as a testament that sacrifice and passion can open doors in any corner of the globe.