Ashley Broussard, a 20-year-old exercise rider from Youngsville, Louisiana,
summed up her feelings about her first career mount on Friday at Churchill Downs
with just one word — “awesome.”
Broussard, who grew up competing in barrel races in her hometown near
Lafayette, first considered switching to riding in Thoroughbred races at age 15
and made her way to Evangeline Training Center at 18.
“In barrel racing, you’re by yourself,” Broussard said. “Horse racing is more
of an adrenaline rush because you’re racing with other horses.”
Broussard made her way to Kentucky this year after spending the winter at
Fair Grounds and now is ready to ride in her first race after more than two
years as an exercise rider. She will be aboard It’snotyouit’sme in Friday’s
ninth race.
“I’ve got family flying in from Louisiana for the race,” Broussard said. “I’m
not nervous about it, though. I’m trying not to think about it too much, but I’m
not really one that gets nervous.”
While many jockeys need to focus on keeping their weight down, at 4 feet 11
inches, Broussard actually worked to gain weight in preparation for her riding
career.
“I weighed 84 pounds last year and now I weigh 99,” Broussard said. “I always
ate enough, but I started going to the gym and just gave it time.”
Broussard mentioned that she has received help from many people on her
journey to becoming a jockey, including her agent Fred Aime and jockey Rosie
Napravnik.
“Fred has helped me a lot and I wouldn’t be this far without Rosie,”
Broussard said.
Broussard said she plans to ride the meet at Ellis Park at the conclusion of
the Churchill Downs meet.
“The plan is to go to Ellis and then I don’t know where I’ll go from there,”
Broussard said.
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