“Although these were tough races, I am proud to have held my ground throughout the race… Thank you coach Baffert for…” — Flavien Prat REPLYING with a MESSAGE to Bob Baffert when he came to his defense, revealing a priceless gift he personally made for Baffert’s newborn niece!
Flavien Prat, one of the most consistent and skilled jockeys in American horse racing today, has captured the attention of racing fans worldwide—not with a win, but with an emotional message that’s gone viral. Following a string of grueling races that tested both his physical and mental limits, Prat publicly thanked legendary trainer Bob Baffert for standing by him during a controversial week filled with criticism and media pressure.
In the aftermath of his recent performances—many of which placed him in the spotlight for near misses and aggressive riding tactics—critics questioned whether Prat still deserved top rides in upcoming summer meets. But in a surprise twist, Bob Baffert, known for his blunt honesty and loyalty to those he believes in, spoke out in Prat’s defense during a post-race interview at Santa Anita Park. “Flavien’s been a fighter every step of the way,” Baffert told reporters. “People forget how much pressure these jockeys carry. He’s riding with heart, and that’s what matters to me.”
Within hours, Prat responded in the most heartfelt way imaginable. In a personal message shared on social media and later confirmed by his team, he thanked Baffert for the support, saying: “Although these were tough races, I am proud to have held my ground throughout the race… Thank you coach Baffert for believing in me even when the world had doubts.” But the story didn’t end there.
Prat then revealed that he had been working on a personal gift to celebrate the recent birth of Baffert’s newborn niece. Known to be a private person off the track, Prat surprised many when he disclosed that he spent his limited free time crafting a custom-made leather bridle with the baby’s initials and a quote that Baffert often says to his jockeys: “Win with grace, lose with fire.” The gift, hand-delivered in a simple box after morning workouts at Del Mar, reportedly left Baffert speechless.
Sources close to the team say the gesture moved Baffert deeply, especially coming at a time when he’s been battling public scrutiny and trying to reestablish trust after years of regulatory setbacks. “It wasn’t about the bridle,” a stable worker noted. “It was about loyalty. Respect. And showing that racing is still a sport with heart.”
The gesture quickly gained traction online, with thousands of fans commenting on Prat’s humility and Baffert’s unwavering mentorship. Hashtags like #TeamBaffert and #PratRespect trended for hours across racing communities on Twitter and Facebook. What was supposed to be a quiet week in California racing suddenly became a moment of unity in a sport often divided by scandal and competition.
In a time where horse racing needs positive, human stories more than ever, the connection between Flavien Prat and Bob Baffert has reminded fans that beneath the silks and strategy, there is still a beating heart—and sometimes, even a handcrafted gift—behind every ride.
