By Michael Kennedy
University of Louisville senior Ryan Smith rides some of the world’s most expensive thoroughbreds every day. As an exercise rider for Glyshaw Racing Stables, Smith arrives at Churchill Downs at 5:45 a.m., six days a week, to exercise horses and work around the barns with the horses.
Smith is enrolled in the Equine Industry Program through the College of Business. She tries to be in bed by 10 p.m. every night and wakes up around 4:45 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Her first class is at 11 a.m. Two of her fellow College of Business students work as exercise riders seven days a week at Churchill Downs.
“There’s a lot that goes on back here that a lot of people don’t know about,” Smith explained on a quiet Saturday morning on the backside of the track. “What you read in the newspaper isn’t always what’s going on.”
Smith has been riding horses for over 15 years and has worked at the track since 2006. Although she’s graduating in May, she will continue to work at the track.
“It’s good pay; it’s really good pay,” Smith said. “So I’ll be here until I find something real.”
The eyes of the world will descend on Churchill Downs in the coming weeks, but to the workers on the backside, the track is a second home—and the only home to those who live in the on-site dormitory. There are worship services in the chapel next to the barns. To these workers, the Kentucky Derby is more than video montages narrated by Bob Costas.
“You get here, and it’s like a reality check almost,” said Smith. “It’s not all glamorous, the way they make it seem. Not even close.”
