Garrett Gomez: A Gentle Man
The 43 degree Kentucky weather kept the world’s most elite thoroughbreds on their toes while cooling down the crowd of zealous Zenyatta fans. The darkness of the Louisville night was christened with bright lights, showcasing racing’s first night-time Breeder’s Cup Classic, in 2010. Zenyatta, the Queen of horse racing, was cause for even more excitement as she was attempting to close out her brilliant career by winning her final race. Her career winning record 19-19 races combined with her thrilling ability to hit the finish line prior to being impossibly far back, captivated the public.
The chilly evening of the Breeders' Cup Classic of 2010 has been remembered as one of the most thrilling ever. Zenyatta came from impossibly far back to lose by a nose to the fast charging, multiple grade 1 winning 4 year old colt, Blame. Revisiting that race has been a gift.
The chiseled tan face of Blame’s uniquely talented jockey, Garrett Gomez, quickly caught my attention when I first discovered our sport. Garrett had an obvious innate ability with thoroughbreds combined with a professionalism to present the sport he deeply loved in a responsible manner.
He appeared to be incredibly kind and thoughtful as he shared his experiences in interviews. Having overcome a long history of addiction, after taking over a year off for treatment, the naturally gifted jockey returned, surpassing his former high achievements, to lead the nation in purse earnings from 2006 to 2009, earning two Eclipse awards in the process.
We have had a few days to absorb the shock of Garrett Keith Gomez’s untimely death. On January 1, 2017, he would have been 45 years old, having the official birthday of the majestic thoroughbreds he will ride into history.
He was beloved by the close knit California jockey colony that he left behind in 2013, (he did not officially retire until 2015) as well as the backstretch workers he so deeply appreciated. The media and journalists, he generously gave his time to, were visibly affected when they announced his death on December 14.
During his successful comeback, he collaborated on a book, “The Garrett Gomez Story", about his addiction, with writer, Rudolph Alvarado. Gomez unveiled the depths of his addiction. It was a raw totally honest look at his childhood and life in active addiction and his recovery from it.
Garrett Gomez did not want anyone else to go through what he went through. The book was written as a cautionary tale, with partial proceeds going to The Winner’s Circle Organization. Now called, ”The Winner’s Foundation," it is a California non-profit that provided a lifeline during his successful years in recovery. The Winner’s Foundation’s primary purpose is to assist men and women whose personal and professional lives, and those of their loved ones, are being adversely affected as a result of substance abuse, compulsive gambling or mental health issues. Founded in 1984, they provide representatives at each of the California primary tracks as well as each of the racing fairs.
I will remember Gomez as his authentic self. As he used his God given talent and athleticism, on a crisp November Saturday night, riding our 2010 Breeders' Cup Champion, Blame, to the finish line at the historic Churchill Downs track. Not even the devastation of the Queen of racing’s fans could abolish the joy of his incredible achievement.