From trainers to owners, jockey’s, workout riders, and the various ground crews, something I noticed when I began following horse racing were
the many families involved. It seemed to me that this was a very chaotic environment to raise a family, so I reached out to a few racing families to see how they do it.  The interviews were conducted using a series of questions submitted to the couples, who then worked together on their answers. The images are my own, taken over the course of the last 3 years at multiple Southern California race tracks.

Before we go any further though, I would like to thank the couples, the Frey’s, the Cedillo’s, the Prat’s, and Berrios’, for taking time out of their busy lives to participate in these interviews.

We begin this series with Abel and Sara Cedillo. Sara comes from the Polanco horse-training family, while Abel comes originally from Guatemala, getting his first professional win in 2010. I have had many chances to catch them on and off the track, however I was also blessed to shoot their wedding last summer in Laguna Beach. Abel and Sara recently relocated to Kentucky, and Abel is enjoying a good run at Turfway Park, gaining 32 first place finishes, netting $1.3 million in earnings so far in 2024 (statistics taken from the Equibase website). The following interview records our discussion about their lives and maintaining family balance while Abel competes on the track.

Let’s begin with the topic of horses.

   What were your 1st experiences with horses?
Abel: “In Ocala Florida I started as a groom at a farm with my uncle.”

Sara, knowing your dad is a horse trainer, how did you not wind-up riding or being involved with horses?
Sara: “As much as I love horses, and the industry, it’s something I loved to watch more than be involved with. We grew up with horses in our backyard that had layoffs from racing, and the work behind it was a lot, it seems like my dad was always at the track. I would go on weekends for the morning workouts while my mom was a clocker, but never considered galloping or learning how to ride. I rode ponies growing up that’s about it”.

   When did you know horses were a long-term part of your life?
Abel: “When I started taking care of the horses as a groom, I loved what I did.” When did you first want to be a jockey? “My uncle told me to start learning how to gallop because I was small. I started on a farm, but my second horse threw me off and my uncle said to me, ‘Did you get scared or are you getting up again?’ I also had a friend in Ocala that taught me how to work horses in the morning. One day he took me to watch races on TV and after seeing the jockeys, it inspired me.”  Did you have other career ideas that made it hard to decide? “No.” Sara, how did you choose your path? Did you have other work you enjoyed or a different career path? “I worked in a bank, so no racetrack for me, I get to enjoy it with my family, that is it, along with Abel.”

On the topic of Marriage  

   How long have you been married? Sara: “5 months.” How did you meet? “We met at a concert way back, but our first date was August 2021”. When did you know he was the one? “When we were inseparable, and we shared the same hobbies that always kept us looking forward to what we were going to do next. We also have a lot in common, we even finish each other’s sentences, it’s silly and special all at the same time, but we definitely have the same mind set on things”. Abel: “I knew in the time we spent, she made it special and how she treated me, respected me, and always took care of me.”

Making this life work 

   How do you protect your time together as a couple? “We always plan ahead, and we always share the plan with each other, then talk about what’s next. I feel the most important thing is to never stop dating your partner. Outings are also necessary and help to make shared memories”. 

Raising children 

   “We are raising them together and that just makes it easier. We love watching them grow and create new memories.”  

Work life balance 

   How do you manage being a parent and a jockey? Abel: “I just look forward to coming home to them and watching them grow up. I get to be the fun dad but also raising them right is the most important thing”. Sara, right now your full-time job is raising the children. How do you balance parenting off the track? “It’s easy for me, and we get to stop by the track and show support to Abel”.  What are your biggest challenges or concerns? “Not many challenges we can think of at this time.” What do you envy about what your spouse gets to do? Sara: “I mean he goes to the gym more often than I do ha-ha, but I don’t envy anything he gets to do”.  Do you both have any hobbies?  Separately? “Abel’s is golf. Mine is hiking, and now I get to put a 20 lb. weight on my back to go with me!”   Together? “Hiking, biking, beach, the movies. When Abel doesn’t work it’s rare that we are in the house”. 

Favorite career moment?  

   On the track? Abel: “The Del Mar Pacific Classic win for Maximum Security in 2020. At home? “Bringing home Lukas the first time”.  

Looking back  

   Do you have any advice for your past selves? “Don’t worry too much, you put too much stress and pressure on yourself, it’s going to be what it’s going to be, just keep looking forward and be present.” Do you have any advice for others just getting started in marriage, family, and racing? “Always support each other, communicate about work life & home life, everything will come together if you work together, and family is your number one priority.”