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NICOLAS FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER GROOM OF THE MONTH

(left to right) representing the FHBPA Debbie Filippi and Iris Cotto, Groom of the Month Nicolas Francisco, and jockey Paco Lopez

The Florida HBPA would like to congratulate Nicolas Francisco as September’s Groom of the Month. Nicholas currently works for trainer Jennifer Hayford-Quinonez.
When we caught up with him, Nicolas was quite shocked, “What a great surprise! I want to thank Jennifer for nominating me and for the FHBPA for choosing me. This is really cool.”
Originally from in Guatemala, Nicolas arrived in the United States in 2007. He started his career in a big way by working for one of the world’s top trainers, Christophe Clement in the New York circuit.
“I started out as a hot-walker and got the chance to work for Clement as a groom. I really learned a lot working for Christophe,” he said.
Around May he began working for Hayford-Quinonez. She asked Nicolas to come down from New York to Palm Meadows to help her out, and he decided to make the change and stay.

“I think what makes me good at my job is that, I just love the horses. When I was in Guatemala I was crazy about horseback riding, it was a real passion, and the horses got into my blood.”

Nicolas explained, “Every time my horses run it’s a real rush for me. And when they win? It’s something special. It’s such an amazing feeling.  In fact, my favorite horse in Jennifer’s barn right now is Cash on Hand. I love working with him.”
Once again hats off to Nicolas, keep up the great work!