Champion Jockey Seeking Counseling for Alcohol Abuse
After making his problem with alcohol consumption known in two recent public incidents, Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux has admitted himself to therapy to help manage his issues with alcohol use.
In May, Desormeaux was markedly intoxicated during a live radio interview on Sirius XM Radio, just days following the Kentucky Derby where he had received some disapproval regarding his racing performance. On July 1, Desormeaux failed a breathalyzer test before the Woodbine races in Canada where he was scheduled to ride the prize-winning thoroughbred Hold Me Back who later won the $200,000 Dominion Day Handicap under fellow jockey Tyler Pizarro. Desormeaux claims he had flown in from New York for Woodbine after drinking the night before at a friend’s birthday party. Desormeaux was removed from his mount by the stewards after failing the necessary breathalyzer test in which jockeys must present a blood alcohol concentration below 0.020 an hour prior to the race to qualify. He was fined $100 and suspended for one day from racing. Following the incident, Desormeaux lost some sponsors, including WinStar Farm, which owns Hold Me Back.
Desormeaux told the media on July 20 that his actions were embarrassing and unprofessional, although he expressed that his behavior during the radio interview was pardonable since he was on vacation at the time and thus was not expected to ride.
Desormeaux has announced that he is currently undergoing counseling in New Hyde Park, NY, to help him deal with his problem drinking, where he will receive treatment from a psychotherapist and guidance by a sponsor. Desormeaux will be required to check in with his counselors every day, and will be following an alcohol program referred by the Racetrack Chaplaincy in New York while in Saratoga. He has reported to media resources that he wishes to improve his professional conduct and will do what is necessary to meet that goal. Desormeaux’s representatives are supporting his effort for recovery and hope to see the three-time Eclipse award winner return to the track clean and with more confidence.
Several jockeys throughout racing history have been affected by substance abuse. Many professional jockeys began practicing the sport during their childhood, where the substance abuse usually begins. With a lack of proper supervision while undergoing years of intense training, these teen jockeys can find it difficult to break their drug habits once they reach professional status in adulthood. Famous jockeys such as Miguel Mena, Garret Gomez, Noberto Arroyo Jr., Pat Day, and Jerry Bailey have all dealt with their substance abuse problems before the public, with some incidences landing them in jail or in ongoing inpatient recovery programs.
Jockeys may be encouraged to partake in substance abuse or even eating disorders to stunt their growth and maintain light weight for riding purposes. While drug habits may have helped them reach stardom or were ignited as a direct cause of their celebrity, these jockeys can risk losing their entire careers over a single incident involving substance abuse.
Tags: Addiction Treatment, alcohol abuse, celebrity addiction
