“I’ve seen some good ones come and some good ones go,” Martin said. “I think this kid has a lot of talent.”
There is little doubt that Martin knows talent when he sees it – and how to guide a young rider to success. His work as Joe Talamo’s agent is considered a highlight of his career. During the 2006-2007 competition, Talamo captured the Fair Grounds riding title and later earned the Eclipse Award for outstanding student jockey.
“I’ve been watching Mudd since the first weekend he raced at Louisiana Downs and I liked what I saw,” Martin said. ‘He rides like an older rider, you know what I mean? Changes sticks, three or four times if necessary, around the court. He can split horses if he needs to.”
Mudd is an 18-year-old resident of Lafayette, Louisiana. A third-generation rider, he has the polish and charisma of so many who were born and raised in the ‘cradle of jockeys’ who came before him.
“He’s a very polite guy,” Martin said. “He has class. He represents himself very well.”
Just four months into his freshman year, Mudd has a record of 4-13-9 on 104 horses (as of Jan. 10). Still seeking his first win at Fair Grounds, he has four seconds and three-thirds from forty starts, although Martin only took charge of his book in early January.
Jamison Mudd
“The only thing we’re working on right now is the long shots, but I’m hoping that can change,” Martin said.
Only 15 of Mudd’s 104 calls went at 5-1 or lower, but his mounts consistently beat their odds.
“About two weeks ago he came in second and got headbutted on a horse that was 165-1 to Kevin Williams,” Martin said. ‘In a special weight on the turf. He had a wonderful ride on that horse.”
Before becoming a licensed jockey, Mudd worked as a practice rider in Louisiana and Kentucky, most notably for Kenny McPeek, where he rode Mystik Dan prior to his win in the Kentucky Derby 150, as well as Take Charge Milady prior to her run in Kentucky Oaks 151.
Martin began his career in 1986 and has represented some of the state’s top riders, including Corey Lanerie, Robbie Albarado, EJ Perrodin and Kirk LeBlanc. He sees the potential for a similar path in Mudd – and others in the jockey’s room agree.
“I know Jamison Mudd didn’t get a win here this race, but I’m telling you, there’s a lot of jockeys in the room who went out of their way to tell me, ‘This guy’s going to be good,’” said Joe Kristufek, Fair Grounds’ chief racing analyst. “If his colleagues say that, I think it’s only a matter of time.”
With Martin coming out of retirement to mentor him, Mudd is a developing rider worth keeping an eye on.
“We just have to get on the right horses,” Martin said.
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