Garrett Gomez

Jockey Profile

Garrett Gomez

Garrett Gomez was born in Tucson, Arizona on January 1, 1972 and currently lives in Duarte, California.

Gomez started his career in 1988 at Santa Fe Downs. He rode 182 winners in 1989 making him the second-leading apprentice. Gomez won the Arkansas Derby two years in a row, on Concern in 1994 and Dazzling Falls in 1995. In 1998 he was first in the Jockey Standings at the Hollywood Park Racetrack fall meet. In August of 2002 he won his 2000th race at Del Mar.

He missed 21 months of racing when he entered rehab for substance abuse, but re-entered the sport with a bang when he won the Breeders' Cup in 2005. Although based in California for most of his career, he moved to Todd Pletcher in 2006 as his first call rider. Gomez still rides for Pletcher as well as a number of other leading trainers on the East Coast.

Gomez has won the Pacific Classic Stakes a record-breaking three times, in 2001, 2002, and 2005. He has had four Breeders Cup wins, two in 2005 and two in 2007. In 2005, he came fifth in the Jockey Standings. In 2006, he was top of the Jockey Standings. He moved back to California for the 2007 season which ended in a tie for top rider at the Santa Anita meet with Victor Espinoza - each rider on 83 wins.

2007 was a good year on the whole for Gomez, he won the Eclipse Award and in November of that year he won his 71st race of the year which broke the record of 70 set by Jerry Bailey in 2003. Gomez rode against his father, jockey Louie Gomez at least 4 times

Garrett Gomez - 10 Notable Wins

1994 - Arkansas Derby (Concern)

2005 - Breeders Cup Mile (Artie Schiller)

2005 - Breeders Cup Juvenile (Stevie Wonderboy)

2007 - Kentucky Oaks (Rags To Riches)

2007 - Haskell Invitational (Any Given Saturday)

2007 - Del Mar Futurity (Georgie Boy)

2007 - Woodbine Mile (Shakespeare)

2007 - Palos Verdes ( Friendly Island)

2007 - Godolphin Mile (Spring at Last)

2008 - Lone Star Park Handicap (Giant Gizmo)