American Pharoah’s Jockey Tries Dancing With The Stars

A Look Back at the 2015 Television Appearance

Victor Espinoza, the jockey of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, made a brief splash on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. The diminutive race rider made it through the first two weeks of the season before being eliminated from the contest.

Espinoza was paired with professional dancer Karina Smirnoff, a Dancing with the Stars champion and decorated ballroom dancer. A source of amusement throughout the pair’s short run was their height difference. Smirnoff stood several inches taller than Espinoza who is a mere 5’2” and typically weighs between 106-108 pounds.

For their first week of competition Espinoza performed a routine that was inspired by his career as a professional jockey. The dance, while entertaining, received low scores from the panel of DWTS judges. The following week, Espinoza donned a large sombrero and danced to “La Bamba” in celebration of his Mexican roots; he was born in Tulancingo, in the state of Hidalgo. The dance got the lowest scores of the week but was praised for its entertainment value.

After just three dances on the show, Victor Espinoza was eliminated. He was gracious in defeat and stated that he only wanted to have the experience of being on the show. One thing is for certain. Winning the Triple Crown introduced Espinoza to a wider American audience, and his outgoing personality made him a recognizable figure outside racing during the 2015 season.

Victor Espinoza’s Career Beyond American Pharoah

Victor Espinoza’s decision to appear on Dancing With The Stars following American Pharoah’s Triple Crown season reflected the crossover celebrity that the 2015 campaign generated for everyone associated with the horse. The cultural moment of the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years thrust its connections into a level of public visibility that thoroughbred racing rarely achieves, and Espinoza’s willingness to engage with mainstream entertainment platforms extended that visibility beyond the sport’s traditional audience.

For racing fans and bettors, the moment was a reminder of how powerful horse racing’s storytelling can be when the narrative conditions are right. The combination of American Pharoah’s exceptional ability, the 37-year wait for a Triple Crown winner, and the personalities of the connections created a story that resonated far beyond the sport’s regular followers. These crossover moments — when racing captures mainstream attention — are valuable opportunities for the sport to introduce itself to potential new fans and bettors who might not have engaged otherwise. For more on the American Pharoah story, our articles on American Pharoah wins the Triple Crown and American Pharoah wins the first Grand Slam cover the full campaign. And our profile of Victor Espinoza covers his full riding career.

Two Different Parts of Espinoza’s 2015 Story

The National Museum of Racing’s Espinoza profile identifies Tulancingo as his birthplace and records his Hall of Fame career. The television episode is a historical crossover story rather than a guide to his current riding availability.