Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

Trainer Jesus Ramos has returned to the Redwoods this month for the Ferndale horse races with a van full of thoroughbreds in sharp form, headed by a stable-star looking for a piece of history at the upcoming Humboldt County Fair race meet.

Fresh from dead-heating for the training title at the State Fair meet in Sacramento last month, Ramos plans to bring 10-to-12 horses for the upcoming Humboldt County Fair meet, which got under way on Friday and runs until Sept. 8.

And his biggest goal for this year’s races is to win a second straight C.J. Hindley-Humboldt County Marathon Handicap with eight-year-old long distance specialist Lord Wimborne.

Ramos plans to be a familiar figure at the entry box during the eight-day Ferndale meet with the $50,000 Humboldt Marathon Handicap scheduled for the final day of action.

Lord Wimborne is aiming to become just the fifth horse in 70 years to capture back-to-back Marathons, matching the feat accomplished by Ready Standard (1958-59), Molokai (1966-67), Ebonist (1999-2000), and Engram (2018-19).

The 38-year-old Ramos has had a life-long love for horses, starting as a groom at race tracks in Mexico. 

He worked as an exercise rider and assistant trainer before obtaining his trainer’s license in 2019. 

He notched his first win with Aztec Warrior shortly after that at Sacramento, and has saddled 115 winners since then. 

And he owes a lot of his success to his main owner and close friend Candelaria Barragan (M&J Ranch).

“He’s (Barragan) responsible for me achieving my dream,” said Ramos. “He has been a good friend and I have been fortunate to have him as a partner. And I have also been blessed over the years with the help from former trainer Rhoda March. They have given me great support.”

Ramos and his wife Rosa Camacho reside in Brentwood and are the proud parents of four future assistant trainers — three girls and a boy.

Of course, Jesus will also have his sights set on winning a Humboldt training title along with other strong stables on hand. 

They include defending champion Isidro Tamayo, who figures have the barn to beat this year. 

Tamayo saddled nine winners to claim the 2023 Humboldt title, and his stable ran first-second-or third 17 times in 21 starts during a stellar Ferndale stay.