- In full:
- Gary Lynn Stevens
- Born:
- March 6, 1963, Caldwell, Idaho, U.S. (age 63)
- Awards And Honors:
- Preakness Stakes
- Kentucky Derby
- Belmont Stakes (2001)
Gary Stevens
-
Who is Gary Stevens?
Gary Stevens, born on March 6, 1963, is an American jockey celebrated as one of the best tactical riders of his time. With over 5,000 career wins, he secured victories in prestigious races including the Kentucky Derby (1988, 1995, 1997), the Preakness Stakes (1997, 2001, 2013), and the Belmont Stakes (1995, 1998, 2001).
His career highlights include being the youngest jockey to win $100 million in career prize money by 1993. After retiring in 2005, Stevens worked as a racing analyst and actor, including playing George Woolf in Seabiscuit. He returned to racing in 2013, winning the Preakness Stakes before retiring again due to a spine injury in 2018. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1997.
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What is a jockey, and what does Gary Stevens do?
A jockey is someone who rides horses in races. Gary Stevens, born on March 6, 1963, is an American jockey considered among the best tactical riders of his time.
During his career, Gary Stevens achieved over 5,000 victories, including multiple wins at the Kentucky Derby (1988, 1995, and 1997), the Preakness Stakes (1997, 2001, and 2013), and the Belmont Stakes (1995, 1998, and 2001). After retiring in 2005, Stevens worked as a racing analyst, jockey agent, and trainer, and he also took on acting roles, including playing George Woolf in Seabiscuit. After a spine injury in November 2018, Stevens was forced to retire.
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What are some major horse races that Gary Stevens has won?
Gary Stevens, inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1997, had over 5,000 career wins. Among the major races he won are the Kentucky Derby in 1988, 1995, and 1997; the Preakness Stakes in 1997, 2001, and 2013; and the Belmont Stakes in 1995, 1998, and 2001. In 1993, Stevens became the youngest jockey to win $100 million in career prize money. He also won the 1999 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at the British Royal Ascot.
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How did Gary Stevens start his career as a jockey?
Gary Stevens began his career as a jockey while still a teenager, initially competing on American Quarter Horses. His father was a trainer, and his brother, Scott, was also a jockey. He soon switched to Thoroughbreds and secured his first victory at Les Bois Park in Boise, Idaho. Stevens became a highly sought-after jockey, and his career gained significant momentum when he moved to California in the 1980s. In 1986, he achieved success at Santa Anita, Hollywood, and Oak Tree. Two years later, he rode Winning Colors to victory at the Kentucky Derby.
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What challenges has Gary Stevens faced during his career?
Gary Stevens, a highly successful American jockey, faced several challenges throughout his career. Knee problems plagued him, requiring 10 surgeries since 1999 and inducing his retirement in 2005. After a comeback, he underwent knee-replacement surgery in 2014 and hip replacement in 2016. A spine injury in November 2018 ultimately forced him to retire. Despite these physical setbacks, Stevens achieved over 5,000 career wins, including multiple victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
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How has Gary Stevens contributed to horse racing outside of being a jockey?
Gary Stevens's contributions to horse racing extend beyond his career as a jockey. After retiring in 2005, he worked as a racing analyst, a jockey’s agent, and a trainer.
Stevens also explored acting, portraying jockey George Woolf in the 2003 film Seabiscuit. In 2011, he took on the role of a former jockey in the HBO series Luck. After Luck was canceled, Stevens returned to racing, showcasing his enduring commitment to the sport. Following a spine injury in November 2018, Stevens was forced to retire.
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Gary Stevens (born March 6, 1963, Caldwell, Idaho, U.S.) is an American jockey who was one of the great tactical riders of his generation. He had more than 5,000 career wins, including victories at the Kentucky Derby (1988, 1995, and 1997), the Preakness Stakes (1997, 2001, and 2013), and the Belmont Stakes (1995, 1998, and 2001).
Stevens’s father was a trainer, and his brother, Scott, was also a jockey. Gary began competing while still a teenager, riding American Quarter Horses. He soon switched to Thoroughbreds, and he won his first start at Les Bois Park in Boise, Idaho. Stevens became a sought-after jockey, though his career did not take off until he moved to California in the 1980s. In 1986 he won races at Santa Anita, Hollywood, and Oak Tree. Two years later he rode Winning Colors to victory at the Kentucky Derby. In 1993 Stevens became the youngest jockey to win $100 million in career prize money. Riding Thunder Gultch, he won both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes in 1995. Two years later, aboard Silver Charm, he captured his third Kentucky Derby and his first Preakness. In 1998 he and Victory Gallop ended Real Quiet’s bid for the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont. Stevens’s success continued in 2001, when he rode Point Given to a series of victories, most notably the Belmont and the Preakness. Stevens also raced in England and France, and arguably his most-notable win abroad was the 1999 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at the British Royal Ascot.
In 2005 Stevens retired, and he subsequently worked as a racing analyst, a jockey’s agent, and a trainer. He also pursued a career in acting, having already played the part of legendary jockey George Woolf in the 2003 film Seabiscuit. In 2011 Stevens signed on to portray Ronnie Jenkins, a former jockey on the skids on the HBO cable-television series Luck. When the show was canceled after one season, however, Stevens decided to return to racing. He underwent a strict training regime and changed his overall lifestyle. More important, his right knee, which had undergone 10 different operations since 1999 and had induced him to retire, was stronger and less painful. In 2013, his first year back, Stevens triumphed in the Preakness Stakes, aboard Oxbow. In 2014 he missed several months of competition after undergoing knee-replacement surgery. He also took some time off from racing after having a hip replaced in late 2016. However, following a spine injury in November 2018, Stevens was forced to retire. His career totals included 5,187 victories.
Stevens’s memoir, The Perfect Ride, was published in 2002. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1997.