Greta Kuntzweiler
Greta Kuntzweiler is a name familiar to many racing fans, especially in the eastern half of the country. She rides primarily in Kentucky, and although the bulk of her success has come at Turfway Park during that track's winter meet, she has ridden extensively at all of the Kentucky tracks, including Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs, and Keeneland. The picture above is from a win aboard a horse named Caressing in a stake race at River Downs.
Greta was one of three finalists for the Eclipse Award for the top apprentice jockey in 2000 (an award which eventually went to California-based rider Tyler Baze). It marked the second consecutive year in which a female jockey was selected as a finalist.
FOTH: Where were you born and where did you grow up?
GK: I was born in Ames, Iowa and I was there for a little while and then I grew up in Montana mostly.
FOTH: What sort of kid were you growing up? Were you a tomboy? Did you have a lot of friends?
GK: Yes, I guess I was a tomboy. I had a couple of friends, but I was more of a loner I guess.
FOTH: Did you have any kind of an idea what you wanted to be when you were growing up?
GK: Yeah. I always wanted to be a jockey. As I got closer to graduating high school I decided to go to college. I wanted to get into film and art and that sort of thing. I was in college for a year over at the University of Montana and then I decided to give it a shot of trying to ride.
FOTH: Are you close with your parents and what did they think of you being a jockey when you told them?
GK: I am very close with my parents and my whole family and they have been totally supportive. They love watching my ride. They come down each year for the Derby and stay for a while. My grandparents have TVG. They all like watching and are all behind me.
FOTH: What were your impressions of a race track when you first went to one?
GK: My first racetrack I ever went to was Churchill Downs and I was totally awe stuck. I didn't really realize about all the different, you know big people and the big horses that were there. It was just amazing to be in that space with the twin spires and it was really awesome.
FOTH: What event or events led you to being a jockey? Did anybody try and talk you out of it?
GK: Nobody really tried to talk me out of it. I galloped horses for Gary Hack out at his farm in Lagrange, KY and then I did that for a few months and I went to the Sports Spectrum and I galloped and I rubbed horses and I broke babies for 4 years before I rode my first race.
FOTH: What stuff if any were you taught as far as riding goes?
GK: Just everything. How to know when to come inside horses, how to whip, stuff like that.
FOTH: Do you feel you’re pretty natural up on a horse?
GK: Well, not really I was really bad when I first started. I mean as far as galloping. I wasn't great at it. My center of balance has always been really good. But as far as like learning body position and stuff. It is a lot different than any other type of riding you could do, so you have to build up the muscles and everything. I just knew that I loved it and made all the difference to know you do something you love and it never feels like work. Your just happy to get up in the morning and go do it.
FOTH: Tell us what you remember about your first race?
GK: The horse's name was Wayne Suzie and I believe she was a maiden. Mitch Chroda was the trainer. I think I finished 8th or something and beat a few horses. He told me not to try and hit her and I remember jockey Brian Peck told me "Don't worry what's behind you, don't look behind you, just go forward and straight."
FOTH: Tell us what you remember about your first win. I know you got creamed after that race. Did you know that was going to happen?
GK: Yes I knew it was, but at the time I wasn't even thinking about it. They said "Give me your helmet, give me your helmet" and I was just like I thought it was part of winning the race or something. I was pretty excited and of course I gave them my helmet and I got hit with water, eggs, everything. As far as the win goes It was really exciting and it went really fast and when you in front and your whipping and driving and you beat the crap out of that horse. (laughs)
FOTH: In the year 2000 you were up for the Eclipse Award for best apprentice jockey. Did you think you had a shot to win and were you disappointed that you did not win?
GK: No I didn't think I really had a shot. I mean they usually go by either money or wins and both Tyler Baze and Norberto (Arroyo) had me beat. I mean I just thought that was great. Somebody said she is one of the top 3 cause I guess where I was riding (KY circuit) it was just nice to be considered.
FOTH: Did you get to visit any of the New Orleans when you were down there?
GK: Oh yeah. I stayed for a few days and we hung around.
FOTH: What tracks have you ridden at so far?
GK: I have ridden at Tampa Bay Downs, Oklahoma, Oaklawn, Arlington, Fairmount Park, Beulah, Thistledown, River Downs and all the Kentucky tracks.
FOTH: You ride at Turfway a lot. Any problems getting mounts at all?
GK: No not at all.
FOTH: Ever been taken off a horse due to being a female?
GK: Not that I am aware of.
FOTH: You told me you saw that website that is dedicated to you called "Greta Rules." Now that has not been updated in some time. What do you think about a person making a website dedicated to you and did he ever try and contact you?
GK: No he never contacted me, but it is pretty cool. I haven't been there in a long time. I don't know if it is still the same. He only had like 2 pictures when I saw it. Then people wrote in and sent him some stuff which was cool. It was really cool that someone did that.
FOTH: What was the biggest race you ever rode in and the biggest race you ever won?
GK: I guess the Bassinet is the biggest as far as prestige goes and that was a $100,000 race. I have won the Cleveland Gold Cup which is a $100,000. I also won the Taglia which is also a $100,000 and The President's as well. I have won a few $50,000 races here and there. I rode in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland last year. I rode in the Lexington Coolmore last year and the Oklahoma Derby last year as well.
FOTH: Wow Great that is pretty impressive. Any other female riders you admire?
GK: P. J. Cooksey, Cindy Noll, Mary Doser and Paula Bacon.
FOTH: Do you feel female riders are given their due respect in the horse racing industry?
GK: Yeah I think we are getting there. I guess there still is a little bias. The longer your around the more people take you more for your own individual value as a rider whether your a girl or a guy. I think if you can ride that is what shows up. It might be when you first start out they don't want to give you a shot cause you’re a girl and you got to kind of prove yourself. I think guys have to prove themselves too. That's how I look at it.
FOTH: You recently rode up in NY at Aqueduct for 3 races. Did you get to see any of NY and how was the experience for you?
GK: I flew in a day early and that night I went downtown and walked around for a while. I loved it. I loved NY. I would love to ride there again. I didn't have the best of luck as far as races went, but it was a great experience.
FOTH: I agree. NY is definitely a cool place to visit. How long would you like to ride for and do you have any goals for yourself?
GK: I would like to ride for as long as I can really. As long as I stay healthy and I'm able to do it. As far as goals I want to keep improving. My goal is to be the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby on a filly. (laughs) I just want to continue to be a better rider and being able to handle my business and just longevity.
FOTH: Take us what you do in a typical day.
GK: I get up around 5:30am or 6am and I go to the track, walk around, breeze horses I hope to ride. I got up on 6 today, but it usually not that many. Then I usually go home and have a little something to eat and then take a nap or watch some TV, do errands before I come here. Since it is night racing we have a little time to mess round. I then get in the car and drive to Turfway, I ride, then I drive home.
FOTH: Have you ever been recognized by people outside the track?
GK: Yeah. I usually have to tell them who my name is as they usually don't recognize me by face, but if I saw my name or I write my name or something they say "You ride races and blah, blah, blah." (laughs)
FOTH: Tonight as I talk to you in about an hour is the last night of the Turfway meet 2002. You are going to win the riding title this year. How does it feel to be the 2nd female in a row to win the title?
GK: It is really cool. I didn't think it was gonna be this big of a deal. I mean the closer it gets to whatever they are gonna give me, I mean it is really cool, people have been really awesome and congratulating me it is a different feeling. I've never won it before. It's really cool.
FOTH: Greta any last words? We really appreciate the interview and good luck with everything and congratulations on winning the riding title at Turfway.
GK: Just good luck with the site and I'll see you at the races.