The Spanish superstar answers our questions.
Spain isn’t widely known for its racing exports, but legendary trainer Andre Fabré was born there, as was Ioritz Mendizabal, a multiple Group 1 and Classic-winning jockey.
He’s a contemporary of Guillermo Arizkorreta, who has done his bit to put the nation on the map by having winners in France, Germany and Dubai, and will bid to become champion trainer in his homeland for the 15th time this year.
A father of two, Arizkorreta grew up in San Sebastián with no family connection to racing, but was lured into the sport by some school friends who rode at a local pony club.
The club’s owner also had racehorses, which Arizkorreta soon got the feel of, though his height meant the amateur rider had no pretensions when it came to turning professional.
“When I was at university I spent some summers riding out in Newmarket and in Ireland,” he says. “When I finished my studies, I applied for a job as pupil assistant to Mr [Luca] Cumani. That’s where I learned the most and probably wanted to become a trainer myself.”
His spells with the world-renowned Cumani coincided with luminaries such as Gossamer, Falbrav, Alkaased, Starcraft and Le Vie Dei Colori.
“Very nice horses,” says Arizkorreta, whose passion for the sport shines through despite difficulties in Spain.
“It’s a funny situation here – not very healthy,” he says. “We’ve very good owners… not many, but they’re very passionate and enjoy their racing, and we’ve a lovely racecourse in Madrid, which is protected so it can’t be sold for housing.”
Arizkorreta says, however, that betting “isn’t great” and “there’s no revenue to the industry from it”, so Spanish racing lives “in the hands of the government”, which provides funds to organise racing and there “isn’t bad” prize money.
“I can’t say it’s a healthy industry here, though,” he concludes.
Based at the La Zarzuela track in the northern suburbs of Madrid, with around 90 horses, Arizkorreta has considered moving to France, but says his “biggest asset” is his clients in Spain, who “enjoy racing abroad” but live close to La Zarzuela and enjoy visiting regularly.
“It would be very hard to find such good clients abroad,” Arizkorreta explains, “so the logical thing is to stay here. That said, when I started training, travelling and going to Dubai was one of my first objectives and when I had a horse good enough to go, we did. I’d love to race in the UK again too. It’s hard to find horses good enough, but that’s the dream.”
Another champion trainer title is also something Arizkorreta is dreaming about and, if his enthusiasm is anything to go by, you wouldn’t bet against it.
Which racing figure past or present do you most admire?
Aidan O’Brien.
I’ve never met him but would like to. His race record is amazing, and he has trained so many brilliant horses to win all the big races.
It’s not only that, though, it’s everything around him. Look at how well his sons have done riding and training. I just think the way the whole family conducts themselves is a credit to him and his wife.
Which is your favourite venue, and race, anywhere in the world?
My favourite race, without doubt, is the Derby.
I love the tradition and you need a horse with speed, balance and stamina. I know some years it might not be the most commercial race when it comes to stallions, but Galileo and Sea The Stars have won it and that says plenty. It’s still a very special race.
With that in mind, I’d have to say Epsom is my favourite course too. It’s a very strange course to a Spaniard, but probably my best memory from riding is taking part in the amateur jockeys’ Derby there. It was an amazing experience as it’s such a unique place.
Who’s your favourite racehorse and why?
Frankel is the best horse I’ve seen live.
He’s producing so many good horses at stud now and it’s a fantastic story.
I was at Royal Ascot when he won the St James’s Palace, which wasn’t his most spectacular race, but I followed him very closely after that and it was amazing how they managed his career and how impressive he went on to be.
I must also mention El Gran Senor, who was around when I was much younger. I was impressed by him and liked him as a child.
What’s your fondest memory in racing?
That’s hard as all my life has been around the sport, so choosing one moment is difficult and almost impossible.
However, I won the Cupa de Oro, which is the biggest race at San Sebastián, in 2021 with The Way Of Bonnie.
My parents were there and winning it was something I always wanted to do, so it was a special occasion. I hope to do it again soon.
If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be?
I’d love to change the image of racing and convince people we don’t abuse horses. The idea we do makes no sense.
Racing in Spain is small and bullfighting is in front of it, but you still meet people who criticise what we do, yet everyone who works in racing loves horses and looks after them so well. The perception people have of us isn’t right.
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