Longtime jockey Barrington Harvey dies at age 62

Jockey Barrington Harvey, a winner of 742 races from over 10,000 mounts in a career that spanned six decades, died in his native home of Jamaica at the age of 62.

Very popular among his peers, Harvey won 129 races from 1,145 mounts at Los Alamitos, most of them at the 4 1/2 furlongs and 1,000-yard distance. He rode many winners for trainer Angela Aquino and for trainer Sally Rivera. For Rivera, Harvey piloted Whisky My God to victory in a $50,000 race in November 2023. Harvey also was a popular figure at the Humboldt County Fair meet in Ferndale, Calif., winning the Marathon Handicap in 2010 with Come Back Native and 2011 with Steel Blue.  

Harvey was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. He became interested in riding thanks to a family friend, whose son was a jockey. Through this friendship, Harvey got his first lessons on racehorse riding before starting his riding career in Jamaica at 16 years old. In 1987, Harvey began riding in the U.S., piloting many horses in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He moved his tack to California in 1990 and soon became a fixture on the Northern California summer-fair circuit. He was the leading rider at the 2006 San Joaquin County Fair meet in Stockton and often was among the leading pilots in Ferndale. He also enjoyed success at Golden Gate Fields. His more than 10,000 mounts earned over $10 million on the racetrack.

According to Equibase, Harvey had 9,429 starts in North America, with 587 wins. His most recent race was April 10 at Turf Paradise.

Always with a smile on his face, Harvey was full of personality. After winning a big race at Ferndale, Harvey would do a little dance in the winner’s circle known as the “Barrington bossa nova.” To stay fit, he would run five miles four or five times a week. On many summer afternoons at Los Alamitos, Harvey could be seen jogging on the racetrack at Los Alamitos to maintain his weight, strength and conditioning.      

Hard-working as a jockey, Harvey enjoyed his share of long-shot winners. After his business slowed during the early summer months, Harvey traveled back to Jamaica in mid-July to be with his mother and close to his family.  

“He always had a smile,” trainer Sally Rivera said. “He rode to help his family in Jamaica. He called me the day before he flew home. He passed away at home with his family. He ate healthy and ran five miles a day. He never spoke badly about anyone. I’ll miss his calls. I still see the calls from last month on my phone. I’m going to miss him. I haven’t had time to cry. I’m holding it back (for later).”

Los Alamitos had a moment of silence in memory of Barrington Harvey in the winner’s circle on Sunday night with trainers, jockeys, track employees and management in attendance.