Disgraced American horse trainer Jorge Navarro, infamously known as the "Juice Man", has been released from a Miami prison today after serving his five-year sentence for orchestrating an extreme doping scandal that shocked the racing world.
The 50-year-old former leading trainer was convicted in December 2021 for systematically administering illegal performance-enhancing drugs to racehorses under his care.
He was ordered to pay £19million in restitution to affected owners, trainers and jockeys.
Navarro, who had amassed more than 1,000 career winners including prestigious victories in Dubai's Golden Shaheen, was described by prosecutors as a "reckless fraudster" who endangered horses' lives for personal gain.
Jorge Navarro's most succesful horse was X Y Jet, jockeyed by Emisael Jaramillo
Getty
His criminal enterprise involved what prosecutors called a calculated scheme of administering dangerous substances to horses, with his most notorious case being champion sprinter X Y Jet.
The grey horse, whom Navarro regularly injected with a substance he called "monkey", died from an apparent heart attack in January 2020, just two weeks after his final race.
The trainer's brazen approach to cheating earned him the "Juice Man" moniker, which he appeared to embrace.
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Jorge Navarro scheduled for prison release, Wednesday, June 18. pic.twitter.com/Kg6fm6gt14
— Ray Paulick (@raypaulick) June 18, 2025
Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil noted during sentencing that Navarro "even kept in your barn a pair of Crocs that had the words 'Juice Man' running across the toes".
Judge Vyskocil delivered a scathing assessment of Navarro's crimes during the sentencing hearing, stating: "For years, Mr Navarro, you effectively stole millions, cheating other trainers, owners and jockeys you competed against.
"You also demonstrated a collective, callous disregard for the wellbeing of the horses.
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"The bottom line is you likely killed or endangered the horses in your care."
The judge rejected defence attempts to portray Navarro as an animal lover, stating: "The reality is someone who loves horses does not subject them to such cruel and dangerous treatment."
During his emotional courtroom appearance, Navarro broke down in tears as he addressed the judge.
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Horse trainer Jorge Navarro had more than 1,000 career winnersX"I was hungry to be a winner and somewhere along the line the pressure got to me," he said.
"I thought I had to win to be respected in the racing industry."
The disgraced trainer admitted his moral failings, stating: "I became a selfish person who only cared about winning and I lost my way.
"I take responsibility for all that I have done and apologise to the people that I have hurt."
US Attorney Damian Williams described Navarro's case as reflecting "failings, greed, and corruption at virtually every level of the world of professional horse racing."
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