Martin Garcia

Who is Martin Garcia?

Martin Garcia is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing who rides from a base in Southern California.

He emigrated to the United States in 2003 and went to work at a delicatessen in Pleasanton, California. The deli's owner, Teri Terry, introduced him to Mark Hanna, a former jockey, who helped him get started in horse racing as a stable hand and exercise rider. Garcia spent six months galloping horses before beginning to ride in races at Golden Gate Fields.

On August 17, 2005, in his third race, Garcia took his first win while carrying the horse through the last furlong, riding Wild Daydreamer at the Bay Meadows Fair.

He got his big break in the earlier part of 2006 by beating power house jockey Russell Baze for leading jockey at Golden Gate Fields as Baze had dominated that circuit and track. He also won a title at Bay Meadows.

In April 2006, Garcia relocated to southern California. At the Hollywood Park Racetrack meet, he finished third behind Victor Espinoza and Patrick Valenzuela after riding 46 winning horses.