Ricárdo Cárdenas Laureano

It is with great sadness that the family of Ricárdo Cárdenas Laureano announces his passing on the morning of December 19, 2018, at the age of 79 years.

A native of Huancayo, Perú, Ricárdo was born to Teófilo and Rufina Cárdenas on 3 April 1939.  He spent most of his youth in the city of Víquez before moving to Lima where he eventually began his career as a professional jockey in his early twenties.

Known as “El Chólo”, “Los Brazos de Oro”, and “Los Brazos Fuertes”, Ricárdo never shied away from riding difficult racehorses.  In fact, he quickly rose to fame for winning races with horses that “never stood a chance”.  During his professional career, Ricárdo broke track records at Hipódromo de Monterrico and won: two Grand National Peruvian Derby’s in 1966 and 1967, the Jockey Club’s prestigious International Race in 1967, El Presidente de la República Clásico in 1969, Clásico Independencia in 1969, and a multitude of other Preakness’s and Clásicos.

Ricárdo rode many legendary horses to the winner’s circle including Dardanus, Arrabal, Maidenform, Sombrero, Charro, Tanino, Trini López and many others.  From 1966 through 1969, Ricárdo was the winningest and most recognized Jockey in Perú and throughout the international Horse Racing profession.

In 1972, during the prime of his career, Ricárdo raced throughout the United States before returning home to Perú.  Fortunately for his family, he had grown so fond of the United States that he eventually returned and became a permanent resident of North Miami Beach, Florida in 1975.  He continued to race throughout the United States before ultimately retiring during the late 1980s.

After his retirement, Ricárdo continued his passion as a trainer and groomer of racehorses until his final days.  His love for the profession and his legacy inspired a multitude of well-known Peruvian jockeys throughout his lifetime.  Ricárdo’s name was engraved in the Hall of Fame on the Walls of the “Hipódromo de Monterrico” in Lima, Perú.

Ricárdo was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather survived by his wife of 27 years, Guil Cardenas, and sons Rául, Ricárdo (Chisqui), and Roberto (Mimi). Ricárdo will also be fondly remembered by his six grandchildren, Richard, Anthony (Tony), Kadi, Arika, Ricardo, Ruben, and two great-grandchildren, Brandon and Brinlee.

Our family wishes to extend our most sincere gratitude to his dear friends and friends of the family, Caballeros Ivan Moreno and family, Teófilo Casas, Carlos Salcedo, Francisco (Panchito) León Jr., Francisco León, Willy Cacho, and Chaplain Thomas (Tom) LaPointe. We will never forget everything you have done for Ricardo and our family.

Additional thanks to Mark Sunshine and Bailey White of Sunshine Cremation Services for a wonderful experience and making this difficult time easier for our family. And to George de la Torre of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery for your sincere understanding and caring.