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Colleagues and associates be a part of James Graham within the Truthful Grounds winner circle after he guided in his milestone winner within the second race Sunday at Truthful Grounds
On Sunday in Race 2, jockey James Graham tallied his 3,000th profession victory when piloting Massive Chief Racing and Rocker O Ranch’s Vortex for coach Keith Desormeaux at Truthful Grounds.
Coming into the 2023-2024 meet, Graham was ten away from the milestone. He wasted no time closing the hole, successful ten races over 9 playing cards, together with victories within the Claiming Crown Tiara and Iron Horse yesterday.
“It is fairly emotional really,” Graham mentioned. “I got here right here in 2002 and all I ever needed was a shot. I want my mother was nonetheless alive to see this. Thanks to all people who has ever put me on a winner all through my entire profession. That is all due to you guys. Thanks to my spouse. If it wasn’t for her, I would not be the place I’m. Truthful Grounds has been good to me through the years. I’ve made loads of associates and misplaced loads of associates. Racing is a life and we’re all an enormous household. Thanks to all people.”
Hailing from Dublin, Eire, Graham attended jockey’s faculty and labored for 4 years as an apprentice, recording one win in his native Eire earlier than launching his profession within the U.S. His first victory got here at River Downs on July 1, 2003 aboard B.J. Star for coach Allan Shapoff in simply his twelfth mount. Later that 12 months his first Truthful Grounds victory got here aboard Excessive Octave for coach Ronny Werner. Graham has gone on to win 1,340 native races and stands tall because the third winningest rider at Truthful Grounds since 1986, behind Ronald Ardoin and Robby Albarado.
“That is particular for me doing it (at Truthful Grounds),” Graham mentioned. “My profession took off right here. After I first obtained right here in 2003 and began driving, that is the meet that obtained the ball rolling for me. Take a look at the fellows I began driving with right here. Gerard (Melancon), Robby (Albarado), Shane Sellars, E. J. Perrodin–I obtained educated right here. I’ve obtained a pair extra targets at this monitor that I need to accomplish, so I am banging on the door and I am younger, match and wholesome.”
Over his profession, the 44-year-old has 4 native driving titles, and received lots of the monitor’s most outstanding stakes. Graham has received over 47 graded stakes, and 13 of these have come at Truthful Grounds, together with victories aboard 135-1 shot Ive Struck a Nerve within the 2013 Risen Star (G2), 28-1 shot Name Me Midnight within the 2022 Lecomte (G3), and 7-1 shot Ron the Greek within the 2010 Lecomte (G3). Ive Struck a Nerve and Name Me Midnight had been each skilled by Desormeaux.
“Keith has been superb to me since I began my profession,” Graham mentioned. “We have had loads of luck. He is at all times been an enormous supporter. I believe he is an excellent horseman. Thanks to all of the horsemen. All I ever needed was an opportunity. To have an opportunity. And these guys gave me an opportunity.”
Having had three mounts within the Kentucky Derby (G1), Graham’s greatest end was aboard Lone Sailor in 2018 when he crossed the road in eighth for coach Tom Amoss. One in all Arlington Park’s all-time winningest jockeys, Graham earned his first graded stakes victory within the 2004 Arlington Breeders’ Cup Oaks (G3). With 5 grade ones to his identify, Graham’s most up-to-date got here aboard 27-1 longshot Two Emmys within the 2021 Mr. D., affectionately referred to as “the final Arlington Million.”
Upon successful his 3,000th race, Graham has amassed $111,328,888 in profession earnings from 22,095 mounts. In Graham’s nineteenth season at Truthful Grounds, it’s his first 12 months being represented by agent Doug Bredar.
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