Watch: Outrider’s GoPro Catches Epic Belmont Moment

Just you, your horse, a Triple Crown winner, and 100,000 of your closest friends screaming at the top of their lungs!

Miguel and his outrider mount accompany Victor Espinoza and American Pharoah to the Belmont Winner’s Circle.

If you’ve already worn out your DVR watching, rewatching, and re-re-watching the best three minutes in modern sports history, fear not. We’ve found some excellent new footage to add to your collection!

The helmet cam captures New York Racing Association outrider Miguel Gutierrez suiting up for the Belmont, and his singular perch amidst the incredible atmosphere and electricity before, during, and after American Pharoah’s tremendous victory in the Belmont.

Arguably the best moment is at the 1:42 mark, when Miguel greets the champion and officially gets to be the first person to congratulate Victor on winning the Triple Crown, and the two take a victory lap in front of the still-roaring grandstands together. To see that moment from Victor, AP and Miguel’s perspective is truly a unique opportunity.

Victor and Miguel’s euphoria after American Pharoah wins the Belmont and Triple Crown.

Outriders are employed by the track itself, and are responsible for maintaining safety and order on the track on race days as well as during workouts on non-race days. They keep an eye out for any rule violations, dangers in the crowd that could affect the horses on the track, and helping to catch or settle any horses who might need an extra hand before or after a race. (They also usually ride several mounts a day, so that none of the outrider horses overdoes it on a full lineup day like the Belmont.)

But an outrider would likely tell you the best perk is being the escort for the winning horse to the winner’s circle after the race, and in this case it was truly the perk of a lifetime for Miguel Guttierez. Many thanks to GoPro and the New York Racing Association for bringing us this excellent inside experience, and to Miguel for capturing it so splendidly.

Go Racing.