Garrett Gomez, Legend of the Modern Times
With more than three thousand victories in a twenty three year career, it is little wonder that Garrett Gomez is considered a legend of the modern times.
Born to the jockey father Louie in January 1972, Garrett Gomez joined the world of thoroughbred racing in September 1988 at Santa Fe Downs.
Garrett Gomez earned a victory in his very first year as a jockey at Santa Fe Down. He was riding a thoroughbred named Furlong Circle at the time.
Garrett Gomez gained some experience in California but decided he would do better elsewhere moving to Fonner Park at Nebraska and later to Ak-Sar-Ben.
In 1982, Garrett Gomez was the second leading apprentice, a victory rare for a jockey who has just started his career.
The 90s decade was filled with victories for this talented jockey. He won the Arkansas Derby successively in 1994 and 1995.The year 1997 brought three victories for him, namely, American Derby, Arlington Classic, and Secretariat Stakes.
Garrett Gomez made a move back to California in 1998 winning the riding title for the Hollywood Park Fall Meet.
After winning this prestigious title, he had four successive victories in the Malibu Stakes, Santa Maria Handicap, Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap and Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap.
At the start of the new millennium, Garrett joined hands with most influential people in the thoroughbred racing industry. He started work with the late trainer Robert Frankel and owner of the successful Juddmonte Farms Prince Khalid Abdullah.
The combination of these two gave him unparalleled victories in the races that he competed in.
The year 2005 brought five more victories to his name including the pacific Classic Stakes, Breeder’s Cup Mile and the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile.
He also won the best riding title again at the Hollywood Park the same year.
The year 2007 brought victories for Garrett Gomez unprecedented in his career. He won a total of sixty seven races and roughly twenty three million worth of prize money.
The same year he was honoured with the prestigious Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey and won the same award in the year 2008 as well.
Garrett Gomez is considered the most sought after jockey in the thoroughbred racing industry. A look at his career clearly shows that his popularity and demand by the trainers and owners of the best thoroughbred is not baseless.
Under his skill, technique and gentle but firm handle the most laid back of thoroughbred would scintillate across the racecourse.
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