Year of the Jockey
MARTIN GARCIABirthdate: October 23, 1984 Birthplace: Veracruz, Mexico Height: 5'1" Weight: 106 pounds Single Residence: Ontario |
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—Get Funky (2007)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Barretts Juvenile (Fpx)—Roman Commander (2006)
California BC Oaks (GG)—Sierra Sweetie (2006)
C.T.B.A. (Dmr)—Ces’t Mark (2006)
Foster City H. (BM)—Somethingaboutlaura (2006)
Harry F. Brubaker H. (Dmr)—Stormin Away (2006)
Real Good Deal (Dmr)—Seven Nation Army (2006)
Round Table H. (Hol)—Stormin Away (2007)
Highlights
- First winner: Wild Daydreamer, on Aug. 17, 2005 at Bay Meadows Fair with his third mount.
- First stakes win: Somethingaboutlaura in the 2006 $75,000 Foster City Handicap at Bay Meadows.
- First $100,000 stakes win: Sierra Sweetie in the 2006 California Breeders’ Cup Oaks at Golden Gate Fields.
- Riding title: Bay Meadows: 2006-tie.
- Tied perennial leader and Hall of Famer Russell Baze for the 2006 Bay Meadows riding title with 47 victories by winning the last race on closing day of the 31-day meet. Northern California kingpin Baze had dominated the standings at 35 previous Bay Meadows meetings.
- Moved his tack to Southern California in late April of 2006 to ride regularly at Hollywood Park’s spring/summer meet where he rode 46 winners to finish third in the standings behind Victor Espinoza and Patrick Valenzuela. Placed second behind Espinoza at the Del Mar meet while notching 35 victories in seven weeks.
- Started 2006 on a win streak with seven consecutive multiple-win days beginning Jan. 5, capping it on Jan. 13 with a four-win day to give him 18 victories during the eight-day span.
Personal
- Came to the United States from Mexico in 2003. Through a friend, acquired work in a deli in Pleasanton, California, although he did not speak English.
- Deli owner Terri Terry provided introduction to Mark Hanna, a former jockey, who got him additional work as an exercise rider. Despite inexperience, galloped horses in Pleasanton for six months before moving to Golden Gate Fields.
- Before moving tack to Southern California, continued to work two days a week
as a cook at Terri Terry’s deli after becoming successful jockey as expression of
gratitude.


MARTIN GARCIA