Alex Solis

Jockey Profile

Alex Solis

Alex Solis was born in Panama City, Panama on 25 March 1964

Solis was introduced to horse racing at a very young age, by visiting the race tracks with his father, which progressively grew into a passion. His father recognized his enthusiasm, and encouraged him to attend jockey school, and when he was 14, he registered with the Panama jockey school, graduating in 1979.

He wasted little time, and in 1981, he won his first race at Presidente Remon in Panama, promptly followed by his relocation to Florida, USA in 1982. Here, he became the top rider on the Gulf Stream, Hialeah and Calder circuits, subsequent to the completion of his apprenticeship.

He then moved to Southern California in 1985, and proceeded to win the 1986 Preakness Stakes with Snow Chief, gaining him recognition in the racing society.

1996 saw the start of Solis' procession of wins. He put an end to Cigar's 16 successive wins at the 1996 Pacific Classic by claiming victory with Dare And Go. And then, commencing with the 1996 Hollywood Park summer season, he continued to succeed in six uninterrupted key races at Santa Anita, Hollywood and Del Mar, concluding with the 1997 Hollywood Park summer meet, bringing him to a total winnings of 20 meet riding titles on the whole. In 1997, in recognition of his achievements, Solis was awarded with the George Woolf Memorial Award,

In 2003 at Santa Anita, he proceeded to attain his 4,000th race with King Robyn, followed by two wins at the Breeders' Cup, starting with the 2003 Turf with Johar, followed by his victory with Pleasantly Perfect at the 2003 Classic. He then pursued his success with Pleasantly Perfect, by prevailing in the 2004 Dubai World Cup. In 2004, during a fall Del Mar, he sustained a broken vertebra and three broken ribs, and was out of the racing scene for almost seven months, but returned in February 2005.

Alex Solis - 10 Notable Wins

1986 - Preakness Stakes - Snow Chief

1996 - Pacific Classic - Dare And Go

1997 - Florida Derby - Captain Bodgit

1998 - Santa Anita Handicap - Malek

1998 - Arkansas Derby - Victory Gallop

2000 - Breeders' Cup Sprint - Kona Gold

2003 - Breeders' Cup Turf - Johar

2003 - Breeders' Cup Classic - Pleasantly Perfect

2004 - Dubai World Cup - Pleasantly Perfect

2006 - Santa Anita Derby - Brother Derek