Horse Racing: Champion rider, Garrett Gomez, will mount on ‘Master of Hounds’ in the Kentucky Derby
Eclipse award winner, Garrett Gomez, will be mounting on Master of Hounds in the Kentucky Derby. The news was confirmed by his agent, Tony Matos, on Friday. Garrett hired Tony as his agent when Ron Anderson split with him on March 24, 2011.
Gomez expressed his enthusiasm about piloting this horse, saying “I’m just excited that the horse is coming over and I think he’s got a good shot, we’ve been waiting on Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore because we think this horse is really live. We’re very happy
that he’s coming”.
The 39-year-old led the nation in purse earnings in four of the past five years. He also has a history of ending up real close to win the Kentucky Derby in 2009, losing to Calvin Borel aboard Mine That Bird. He also has the record of having 16 stake wins
for Todd Pletcher.
He is ranked eighth with respect to his earnings and his career profile reveals that he has had 46 wins from 260 mounts.
The derby has been privileged with Garret’s services seven times. He also ended up having the sixth position in the 2010 Kentucky Derby while he was aboard the Bob Baffert trained Lookin at Lucky.
Gomez also holds the honour for winning the Breeder’s Cup while aboard Blame. The $5,000,000 pursed event was held on November 6, 2010.
The American jockey was born on January 1st, 1972. Gomez got inspired by horse racing while watching his father riding. He dropped out of school to pursue riding and began riding at Santa Fe Downs in New Mexico.
Susan Magnier’s Master of Hounds is an Irish based horse. He will be reaching Louisville Kentucky around May 3rd, provided there is no misfortunate incident. He is out of the mare, Silk and Scarlet and stood second in the UAE Derby held on March
26, 2011.
This was the colt’s only start this year. Master of Hounds ranks ninth on the graded earnings list. Churchill Downs is not entirely a new experience for the colt since he ran on the course earlier, finishing at sixth position, on November 6, 2010. The horse
is trained by Aidan O’ Brien and was bred by Silk and Scarlet Syndicate.
Gomez is a consecutive winner of the Eclipse award for outstanding jockey, winning the award in 2007 and 2008.
The other jockey confirmed, Calvin Borel, is riding Twice the Appeal at the event.
It is hoped that Garrett Gomez will be able to live up to the expectations of his fans and help them rejoice when he picks up the mount on May 7th.
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