John Velazquez

Born:
1971-11-24
Carolina
Puerto Rico, United States Minor Outlying Islands

Currently Residing:
West Hempstead
New York USA

Height: 5ft 6in
Weight: 109

His wife is Leona. Their daughter is Lerina and son Michael Patrick. His father-in-law is a trainer of Leo O Brien.


Notes:
John Velazquez entered Puerto Rican jockey school in June 1988. He started his career by setting six races win on September 3, 2001. In 2003, he clinched the New York Turf Writers Association s Fourstardave Award and received the Eddie Arcaro Award in 2002, 2003 and 2005. He became leading rider in New York for four consecutive years 2001 to 2004. In the 2004 Breeders Cup, he won the Bill Shoemaker Award while in the spring 2005 meet he became the leading rider at Keeneland. John received back-to-back Eclipse Awards in 2004 and 05 and won his 3,000th career race on July 29, 2004 with Runingforpresident at Saratoga. In the 2007 Belmont Stakes, Velazquez earned his first win in a Triple Crown race riding Rags to Riches that made her the first filly to win the race since 1905.

Statistics

Year	Races Run	Wins	Place	Show	Earnings
2011	129	18	16	23	-
2010	443	84	71	58	-
2009	482	95	62	55	-
2008	1177	215	166	157	-
2007	1131	199	161	150	-
2006	944	218	164	112	-
2005	1147	250	177	146	-
2004	1327	334	222	181	-

Facts

• Major Racing Wins - Belmont Stakes (2007) Breeders Cup Mile (1998) Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies (2000, 2002) Breeders Cup Filly Mare Turf (2002) Breeders Cup Distaff (2004) Breeders Cup Sprint (2004) Jamaica Handicap (1994, 1998, 2002) Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Handicap (1995, 2004, 2005) Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (1995) Garden City Breeders Cup Handicap (1995, 2005) Alabama Stakes (1996, 2003) Beldame Stakes (1996, 2005) Champagne Stakes (1996, 2004, 2006) Futurity Stakes (1996, 1998, 2006) Metropolitan Handicap (1996, 1999) Mother Goose Stakes (1996, 2001) Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes (1998, 2006) Maker s Mark Mile Stakes (1999) Vagrancy Handicap (1999, 2001, 2004, 2005) Acorn Stakes (2000) Ashland Stakes (2001) Ladies Handicap (2001) Lawrence Realization Stakes (2001, 2002) Remsen Stakes (2001, 2005) Vosburgh Stakes (2001, 2006) Dwyer Stakes (2002, 2003) Frizette Stakes (2002, 2005) Matron Stakes (2002) Personal Ensign Handicap (2002, 2004) Suburban Handicap (2002) Whitney Handicap (2002, 2007, 2008) Saranac Handicap (2003) Kentucky Oaks (2004) Sabin Stakes (2004, 2005) Blue Grass Stakes (2005) Brooklyn Handicap (2005) Clark Handicap (2005) Travers Stakes (2005) Louisiana Derby (2007) Orchid Handicap (2005, 2006, 2008) Saratoga Breeders Cup Handicap (2005) Fountain of Youth Stakes (2007) Beaugay Handicap (2008) Prioress Stakes (2008) Test Stakes (1996, 1999, 2008) La Brea Stakes (2008) Massachusetts Handicap (2000, 2008) Richter Scale Sprint Handicap (2007, 2008) Old Hat Stakes (2005, 2008, 2009)

• American Classic Race wins - Belmont Stakes (2007)

• International race wins - Woodbine Mile (2000, 2005) E. P. Taylor Stakes (2004, 2005) Dubai World Cup (2005)

• Racing Awards - United States Champion Jockey by earnings (2004, 2005) Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey (2004, 2005) George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award (2009)

• Significant Horses - Da Hoss, Storm Flag Flying, Lemon Drop Kid, Ashado, Kitten s Joy, Flower Alley, Lawyer Ron, Roses in May, Bluegrass Cat, Circular Quay, Scat Daddy, Rags to Riches, Commentator, Indian Blessing