Juan Gonzalez (jockey)

Juan Gonzalez
Occupation	Jockey
Born	(1948-02-22)February 22, 1948 Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico
Died	July 5, 1975(1975-07-05) (aged 27) Pleasanton, California, United States
Major racing wins
Hillsborough Handicap (1969) Yerba Buena Handicap (1973)
Racing awards
Bay Meadows Champion Jockey (1973)
Honours
Juan Gonzalez Memorial Stakes at Pleasanton Fairgrounds Racetrack

Juan T. Gonzalez (February 22, 1948 - July 5, 1975) was a Mexican-born jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing who died in a racing accident at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds Racetrack at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California. Gonzalez dominated thoroughbred racing in Northern California and rode more winners at Northern California tracks than any other jockey during his career.^[1]

Career highlights

In 1969, Gonzalez became the first jockey to ride more than 100 winners during a single race meet in Northern California.^[2] On December 17, of that same year he rode five winners at Bay Meadows Racetrack^[3] and in 1973 set a Bay Meadows Racetrack record that stood for thirteen years when he won 118 races at a single meet.^[4]

Death and memorial

A native of Ermita de Guadalupe, a community near Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico, Gonzalez died instantly from a broken neck when his horse fell on another horse that had stumbled and fallen in front of him.^[5] He died on the track where his career began in front of his wife Maria and their two young daughters.^[6]

A funeral service was held for Gonzalez on July 7 in San Mateo, California after which his remains were returned to his native Jerez for burial.^[7]

In his memory, the Pleasanton Racetrack annually runs the Juan Gonzalez Memorial Stakes.^[8]

References

1. "Injuries from spill fatal to jockey, 26". St. Joseph Gazette. St. Joseph, Missouri. Associated Press. July 7, 1975. p. 1B. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
2. "Rides Three Winners". The Norwalk Hour. Norwalk, Connecticut. United Press International. December 19, 1969. p. 2. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
3. "Gonzalez Rides 5". Kentucky New Era. Hopkinsville, Kentucky. December 18, 1969. p. 5. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
4. "Jockey Baze Ties Bay Meadows record". The Norwalk Hour. Norwalk, Connecticut. Associated Press. January 6, 1986. p. 20. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
5. "Rites Set For Jockey". Ocala Star-Banner. Ocala, Florida. Associated Press. July 7, 1975. p. 2B. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
6. "Jockey Dies in California Racing Spill". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 7, 1975. p. 48. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
7. "Sports Whirl". Virgin Islands Daily News. July 8, 1975. p. 23. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
8. Daily Racing Form - February 7, 2011