Alan Garcia
photo by Adam Coglianesa

Each month we’ll take a trip to the backstretch and visit with a different jockey or trainer. For this issue, the focus is on Alan Garcia, one of the top up-and-coming jockeys in all of thoroughbred racing. At the age of 22, this Peruvian-born pilot became one of the youngest jockeys to win the Saratoga riding title. Garcia captured the title by winning 39 races during the recent 2008 Saratoga meet.

Garcia is currently single and makes his home in Elmont, N.Y.

Q: How did you first get involved with horses?

My father and grandfather were both jockeys. Early on I was a big soccer player, but eventually I realized that riding horses was what I really wanted to do.

Q: Who were your heroes growing up?

Growing up in Peru, my father was definitely a hero to me. Now that I am in the United States, Edgar Prado and John Velazquez are two riders that I really admire and try to learn from.

Q: When did you come to the United States, and what factored into the decision?

I was a leading jockey in Peru, but one of my friends told me that I could have a bright future riding in the United States. So in 2003, at the age of 17, I made the decision to ride at the Meadowlands in New Jersey

Q: Do you remember your first win?

My first win in this country is a really good story.  It actually came on my 18th birthday, October 2, 2003, in the first race that I rode in this country. I was on a horse at the Meadowlands named Batum who hadn’t won in 14 starts and was sent off at 60/1 odds. He had been racing close to the pace, but I got him to relax going into the first turn and on the backstretch. I swung him out for the stretch run and he unleashed a big rally to win by a half-length. I was so excited that I started crying. I knew I had made it.

Q: How did you decide to come to the New York circuit?

I was the leading apprentice jockey at the Meadowlands, but my agent wanted me to move to New York for better money and horses. Right after I made the move, I had my appendix out, so that put a bit of a wrench in our plans. I ended up going to Monmouth during the summer of 2004 and had 27 wins. In the end, 2007 was the first year that I decided to run full time at the NYRA tracks.

Q: What did it feel like getting your first Breeders’ Cup victory with Lahudood (Filly & Mare Turf) last year?

It was an unbelievable feeling. I can’t even explain it. She was a fantastic filly, and Kiaran McLaughlin and Shadwell Farm were so great to keep me on the horse. I knew that she loved the softer turf, so all the rain during Breeders’ Cup weekend was an advantage for her. The race was a nail biter, and I didn’t know until the wire that we had won it.

Q: You pulled off an absolute shocker in the Belmont with 38/1 Da’Tara. Did you think you had a chance going into the race?

To be honest, no I didn’t. I just wanted to ride my race and let Da’Tara feel comfortable. I was happy to be part of history and running against Big Brown. But wow did Da’Tara ever run a huge race! Nick Zito said the day before to let him go and that’s what I did. He broke well and really settled around the first turn and into the backstretch. During the run to the far turn Big Brown seemed to be trying hard and my horse was well within himself.

Q: Turning for home in the Belmont, what were your thoughts?

Well, I actually snuck a glance at the infield TV at the quarter pole and saw Big Brown dropping back. At that point I knew we had a real chance to pull off the upset. I was working on Da’Tara and he was responding. In the final furlong I was thinking “Oh my God I am going to win this race.” It was truly amazing.

Q: You won an astounding five races on Travers Stakes day this year. Do jockeys get in the zone, or is a day like that all a result of the horses?

It is a combination of both of those factors. You need luck and you need the races to work out perfectly. On Travers Day, I was making good decisions in each race, but my horses were running really well.

Q: Before this year’s Belmont Stakes, many casual racing fans may not have been familiar with you. After your win on Da’Tara and your amazing Travers Stakes day, they certainly do now. Do you consider yourself one of the top jockeys in the sport?

It feels good, but I’m not sure I am at that level yet. I’m going to continue to work hard and learn from great jockeys like Edgar Prado and John Velazquez. The more success you have the harder you have to work.

Q: You ride a lot of horses for Kiaran McLaughlin, who won the Saratoga trainer title. How did you start riding for Kiaran, and tell us about your relationship with him.

I have a great relationship with Kiaran. In the winter of 2007 he was riding Fernando Jara first call at Gulfstream and Jose Santos at Aqueduct. However, when Jose retired, my agent got in touch with Kiaran and I started riding horses for him. It was a very fortunate turn of events for my career, and I’m really thankful that Kiaran gave me the opportunity,

Q: You’ve already won the Belmont Stakes and a Saratoga riding title. What are your next major goals?

I will just keep working hard and try to be the best. Eventually, I’d love to win an Eclipse and get into the Hall of Fame.

Q: Do you have any specific friendly rivalries with other jockeys?

I am very friendly with everyone, but once the races start I have a job to do and the friendships get put on hold until we cross the wire. Guys I am particularly close to include Edgar Prado, John Velazquez, and Garrett Gomez.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a jockey?

I love being around the horses. For me, that is the most fulfilling aspect of being a jockey.

Q: You’ve ridden great horses on both the turf and the dirt. What are some of the differences between riding successfully on these two surfaces?

My saying is: On the turf be patient, and on the dirt be clear. Basically you have to wait for openings in turf races, while in dirt races you really need to stay out of trouble and keep your horse in the clear.

Q: What are the most important traits for a successful jockey to have?

Be the same person in every race. Be smart and be professional.