Jockey Victor Espinoza won $80,000 as the 12th Triple Crown winner but instead of keeping the prize money, he donated his entire winnings to charity, The Courier Journal reported.
"At the wire I was like, 'I cannot believe I did it,'" Espinoza told USA Today. "I won the Triple Crown race now, but I didn't make any money, because I donated my money to the City of Hope."
Espinoza was once a bus driver and grew up on a farm outside Mexico City. When he came to California, he started his career as a jockey and worked with trainer Bob Baffert in Los Angeles where he rode American Pharaoh since September.
The jockey had been donating some portions of his cash prizes to the City of Hope, a cancer research and treatment center in Duarte, Calif.
"Good health - that's what I want for everyone. With good health, people can enjoy life and do those things that make them happy," Espinoza said. "By working to defeat cancer, City of Hope's researchers and doctors are bringing a greater chance of health and happiness to people everywhere."
The City of Hope posted a statement on its website:
"As before, Espinoza has promised to donate a portion of his winnings to City of Hope, continuing his record of support of the institution's groundbreaking research and life-saving, patient-focused care. Espinoza often visits City of Hope campus, sharing smiles, gifts and stories of his more than 3,200 career victories with patients."
Baffert also donated his winnings to charity. He donated "$50,000 both to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and the California Retirement Management Account," according to USA Today.
