Category: News

Ismael Gonzalez

Assistant trainer

Ismael Gonzalez, from Guatemala, arrived in the United States in 2008, without much knowledge about the racehorse, but with the determination to adapt, learn and give his best effort.

That happened in his early days at Churchill Downs, working as Hot Walker for trainer Steve Asmussen, for two years, until he connected with Ralph E. Nicks, his main mentor, who became his former and trusted man. Nicks, now retired as a trainer, but who was successful in the industry training such horses as Caledonia Road (Quality Road), with whom he won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

“I always wanted to learn more, so at Nicks’ barn I got more involved, putting out feed, helping with meds until I became Groom,” he recalls.

And success was always there. “He showed me the way, always gave me opportunity. Where he went, he achieved success, being a Leader Trainer. In Saratoga he also received the distinction as the stable of the month, in Miami he got five wins in one afternoon”, he recalls some of those good moments.

“Sincerity and hard work, if you see something on the block, always communicate it so you can correct the faults,” he says of what he considers to be the basis for finding success,” a dynamic he now maintains in this new stage with Nolan Ramsey.

When Trainer Ralph Nicks retired, Gonzalez did not hesitate to be recruited by Ramsey. “We’re a good team, communication flows on both sides,” he stresses as the contributing factor around the good results Nolan Ramsey has been getting in his debut season.

“He knows where to score each horse, he is a meticulous professional. That generates a lot of confidence to aspire for the best,” said Gonzalez, who made his debut as assistant trainer and in the best way with the colt Respunzel and hopes that the results will continue to be positive at the end of the season. “Working hard, the whole team is working in the same direction,” he said.