Ramón Domínguez began his equestrian journey at age 16 in Venezuela, initially participating in show jumping before transitioning to thoroughbred flat racing. After migrating to the U.S. in 1996, he quickly established himself on the South Florida racetracks and later moved to Delaware Park, where he became the winningest jockey in the United States in 2001 and repeated this success in 2003. Throughout his illustrious career, he earned numerous accolades, including the Isaac Murphy Award for the highest winning percentage among American jockeys in 2004, the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 2012, and the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 2010, 2011, and 2012. He retired in 2013 due to head injuries sustained in a fall, concluding his career with an impressive total of 4,985 lifetime wins, including 160 in graded stakes.
Post-retirement, Ramón has remained active within the racing community by inventing a humane riding crop, the 360 GT, and advocating for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and thoroughbred aftercare. He serves as President of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, is an Ambassador for Brooke USA, and is a member of the concussion advisory board for NYIT. His significant contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2016, alongside honors from Delaware Park and Saratoga.
As a board member of Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, Ramón is dedicated to promoting the therapeutic benefits of equine-assisted programs and enhancing the well-being of individuals in the community. His passion for horses and commitment to aftercare align seamlessly with the mission of THS, making him an invaluable asset to the organization.
