Apprentice rider Johanis Aranguren, 23, has made an outstanding start to her career in the US but was the subject of ridicule after her mistake at Fairmount Park

A rising star jockey has made an embarrassing error by riding a finish to a race a lap early.

Apprentice rider Johanis Aranguren, 23, has made an outstanding start to her career in the US where she has racked up 60 wins in her first year. The Venezuelan native, who comes from a family of jockeys, rode a four-timer at Fairmount Park in Illinois in April.

She said afterwards: “It’s something I truly love, and I was born to do this. I plan on doing it for my whole life. My dad and I made an agreement when I got into this sport that I would reach higher levels than him and be better than him. Respectfully, that’s what I’m aiming for.”

However her ride in the sixth race at the same track on Tuesday is likely to haunt her for some time after she misjudged the distance of the race.

Riding Nip N Tuck in a rare race run over 2m ½f on dirt, she took up a prominent position on her mount early in the contest and had taken the lead exiting the second turn of a four turn race.

However the track commentator sensed what was about to happen as Aranguren began to ride with vigour while the rest of the field were coasting, knowing there was another lap to go.

He said: “I think we have to tell someone there’s another trip to go by the grandstand for the first time. Sprinting away is Nip N Tuck and she has to go around again, does the bug [apprentice] girl.

“I think the bug girl Johanis Aranguren believes that she has won the race.”

Aranguren was pulling up on her mount as the rest of the field passed her on the inside. Once she realised her mistake she rejoined the race and eventually completed in fifth of the six runners, nearly 30 lengths behind the winner.

Reactions on X included: “She should be fined!!” and “No excuse - like running a red light!”

Others were sympathetic. “Trust me it happens to the best of them,” said one comment.

Aranguren managed to finish the day on a positive by riding the winner of the tenth race.