22.02.12

Considering Ramon Dominguez’s shy, quiet style, you wouldn’t guess he’s a fiercely competitive world-class jockey.  And, considering his quiet ways, I didn’t expect him to be such a fantastic, natural model when posing for a jockey ‘beefcake’ calendar.  But, wowza, was I wrong!

Ramon, the 2010 Eclipse Award winning jockey who’s consistently near or atop the nation’s standings, is unusually intelligent, articulate and thoughtful – traits that help explain his dominance.  More importantly - at least as far as our shoot was concerned - he's also a darned good sport.   

Ramon not only brought a variety of shirts to the shoot (I guess he didn’t know I’d just say, “take it off!”) but, when the camera aimed his way, he was a true pin-up!  He knew how to pose, when to smile and when not, how to look intense for the camera.  While tourists milled about us in Yaddo Gardens on a warm afternoon, Ramon – his muscles chiseled like a Michelangelo sculpture – seemed he’d be as comfortable on a runway as a racetrack.

Source: Daily Racing Form (blog)