Nyquist's Groom Keeps Top Derby Horse Happy

By Julie June Stewart

Content Courtesy of America's Best Racing

It's bath time for Nyquist outside Barn 41 at Churchill Downs on Longwood Avenue. The sun warms a patch of grass. Buckets are lined up on a rubber pad. The hose spatters and makes a staccato sound as each bucket is filled with water. Sponges are readied as the horse is led out of the barn. A gaggle of media and fans stands respectfully in an arc as they angle their cameras and phones for photographs. They are so busy looking at Nyquist that few notice the groom who is carefully attending to his horse.  

Within seconds, the images of Nyquist's bath is posted throughout social media. The groom works calmly and methodically. He takes no notice of the crowd. He is part of the background; an unsung hero on the backside. You will not find him tagged on Facebook. You will not hear fans of Nyquist calling out his name. Yet, he is one of hundreds of hard workers who keep the Kentucky Derby contenders healthy, fit and safe.

The groom is Elias Anaya, 50, and he loves Nyquist. It can be hectic taking care of a "big" horse during Derby week. He is a busy man who is quiet, efficient and respectful. I was impressed when he was able to carve out a few minutes from his schedule to sit and talk. He thoughtfully brought two chairs outside so we could sit in the shade underneath a big tree.

Elias (as he prefers to be called) actually has a long history with the Kentucky Derby (gr. I). He worked for Hall of Famer Bill Shoemaker when "Shoe" was a trainer in 1993. He was the groom for Diazo, who came in fifth in the Derby. Elias said that Diazo was a small horse who was very intelligent. He returned to Churchill Downs in 2003 with trainer Paddy Gallagher and was the groom for Domestic Dispute, who came in 10th. Gallagher remembers Elias as a "quiet, good groom. Very quiet and good with horses."

Yes, Elias is a quiet man. There is something about a quiet man that makes you want to listen when he talks. When a man of few words speaks, often what he has to say is important. He is from the state of Jalisco in Mexico, the same home state of 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome  's groom, Raul Rodriguez. As a child, he rode ponies, donkeys and mules at the family ranch that his grandfather owned. Elias remembers that the family donkeys were very slow. He came to the United States when he was 17 years old and admits that he was scared. In 1982, a friend hooked him up to groom Quarter Horses. This opened the door to the beginning of his career. The first time he saw Santa Anita Park, he couldn't believe that he was going to be working in such a beautiful place. Little did he know how far his career would take him! He has been to some of the most exciting races in history and this is his third Kentucky Derby.

Throughout the years, Elias has worked with hundreds of horses. His eyes softened with the memory of working with one special filly when he was working for trainer Gallagher. Her name was Angel Gift, and she was a Kentucky-bred who raced from 2001 to 2004 in California and was multiple graded stakes-placed. He said that she was very special to him.

Today, Elias is the groom for three horses in trainer Doug O'Neill's barn. In addition to Nyquist, he also is responsible for Donworth and Royal Albert Hall. He usually gets up at 4 a.m. and starts work with the O'Neill team at 5 a.m. Beginning with Nyquist, the first thing he does is to look at him in the stall. Elias is a detail-oriented person and pays attention to body language. He studies the horse to see if there were any issues during the night. Did the horse eat? How much? Did the horse drink water? How much? Then, he tends to his legs and pulls the bandages. He speaks to Nyquist in Spanish and said that the he is "learning the language." 

Every detail is important. Elias has been with Nyquist since he arrived in the barn. He said that when Nyquist won his first race in June 2015 at Santa Anita, he thought, "This horse is going to be a big horse!" Nyquist remains undefeated and has gone on to win the Best Pal Stakes (gr. II) and the Del Mar Futurity (gr. I), the FrontRunner Stakes (gr. I), the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), the San Vicente Stakes (gr. I), and the Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (gr. I), all with Elias by his side. He said as Nyquist continued to win races, he became more excited about his horse. 

What makes Nyquist different from other horses? Elias says that "he is a happy horse. Always happy. He is extra happy, which is why he is so productive." He knows him like a baby. He knows when he is sleepy, when he wants water, food or wants to lie down. He is very proud of Nyquist. He said that Nyquist is different. He loves the attention from his fans and knows when there are cameras. He will pose for photos like a model. Elias eyes sparkle as he reveals that he calls Nyquist "Guapo," which is Spanish for handsome. 

Horses like routine and order. Elias makes sure that everything is well organized and prepared as the Kentucky Derby approaches. On Derby day, he says he will get up extra early to make sure that everything is right. He said he might buy new shoes or a shirt to celebrate the day. His family is very excited and he knows that his daughter Giselle, 13, and his son Ivan, 15, will be watching the Derby from their home in California. 

While he is a man of few words, he does have a little bit of advice for young grooms. "Work full-time and be patient. And that a happy horse is a good horse." It's obvious that the key to his success is his ability to pay attention to the body language of a horse and all the little details.

O'Neill is proud when he talks about his team member Elias. "He has a quiet confidence that translates to all the horses that are under his care. We were told by Tex Sutton (the company who ship horses all over the country) that they had never seen anyone as attentive to a horse as Elias was to Nyquist. They appreciated his concern for Nyquist, and it left a favorable impression."

One never knows where the journey of life will take them. From riding ponies, mules and donkeys as a child to leading the nation's superstar to his run for the roses on the first Saturday in May, Elias Anaya has an incredible life. He remains a modest man who lives a quiet life of hard work on the backside while never seeking any glory. He said, "Every day I try to be better." You couldn't ask for a better philosophy in life. It seems to me that he is already a champion and his horses thrive under his care. "Guapo" is certainly a happy horse!