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The Perfect Ride
A renowned jockey and member of the Horse Racing Hall of Fame details his own extraordinary racing career while providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the exciting world of horse racing, taking readers into the inner sanctum of the owners, trainers, and jockeys. 10,000 first printing.
272 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2002
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About the author
Gary Stevens
39 books3 followers Gary Stevens Official Website Biography
Gary Stevens was born March 6, 1963 in Caldwell, Idaho into a family of horse people. He came to racing naturally, his father, Ron, is a trainer and had him grooming horses at age 8. His mother was a Rodeo Queen. His brother Scott is a jockey. Before he was 14, Gary was riding winners in quarter horse races at the bush tracks and fairs
He rode his first thoroughbred winner Lil Star for his dad - in his first start - at 16 in 1979 at Les Bois Park in Idaho. Soon he became the top jockey in Washington, winning riding title at Longacres in 1983-84. He moved his tack to Southern California where after a rocky and homesick start, his career skyrocketed. He won riding titles at Santa Anita four times (1986, 88, 90, 93), Hollywood summer twice (1986, 88): Del Mar twice (1987-88), Oak Tree three times (1986-87, 97), and Hollywood fall four times (1986, 88, 92, 94)
He may have made his name out west but is a familiar face on the Triple Crown circuit. His victories in the Kentucky Derby began in 1988 aboard Winning Colors (PHOTO RIGHT) which he credits as his most exciting win, This was followed with victories by Thunder Gulch in 1995, and Silver Charm in 1997. Silver Charm came within a whisker of winning the triple crown.
In 1995, Gary won the first and last legs of the series with Thunder Gulch, trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Thunder Gulch finished third in the Preakness.
In 1998 Real Quiet won the Derby and the Preakness and looked to have the Crown wrapped up when Kent Desormeaux had him in front by five lengths in the stretch of the Belmont Stakes. And then along came Gary. In one of the greatest rides in history, Stevens and Victory Gallop caught Real Quiet by a nose to win the mile-and-a-half Test of the Champion.
Gary retired in December of 1999 with debilitating knee pain , but not before he had ridden a colt named Anees to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile the month before. Knee problems have plagued him. He underwent surgery Dec. 1, 1999 to have a cyst removed from his right knee; returned Dec. 26 of that year but announced his retirement that day, citing chronic pain and wear-and-tear on his knees. Prior to that knee surgery were operations in 1995, 1997 and 1998. Following retirement, he became an assistant trainer for trainer Alex Hassinger and the Thoroughbred Corp. but not riding was difficult for him. He resumed riding Oct. 4, 2000.
He was back in the Triple Crown limelight just a few months later with Derby favorite Point Given, son of Thunder Gulch. After suicidal early fractions, on a phony-fast racetrack, the Bob Baffert-trainee finished fifth to Monarchos. But it was Point Given, Baffert, Thoroughbred Corp. and Stevens who reigned supreme at Pimlico and Belmont Park, winning the Preakness, the Belmont. Gary feels that Point Given deserved the Triple Crown that year and that Kentucky Derby is perhaps the loss he regrets the most.
In 2003 Gary played the role of George Woolf in the acclaimed and Academy Award nominated movie SEABISCUIT. In the same year he was named one of People Magazines 50 Most Beautiful People.
Gary is married to Angie Athayde-Stevens whom he met of the set of Seabiscuit. He has four wonderful children from his first marriage: Ashley, TC, Riley and Carlie.
In 2005 Gary retired from racing and became a racing analyst for NBC and TVG.
Gary Stevens was born March 6, 1963 in Caldwell, Idaho into a family of horse people. He came to racing naturally, his father, Ron, is a trainer and had him grooming horses at age 8. His mother was a Rodeo Queen. His brother Scott is a jockey. Before he was 14, Gary was riding winners in quarter horse races at the bush tracks and fairs
He rode his first thoroughbred winner Lil Star for his dad - in his first start - at 16 in 1979 at Les Bois Park in Idaho. Soon he became the top jockey in Washington, winning riding title at Longacres in 1983-84. He moved his tack to Southern California where after a rocky and homesick start, his career skyrocketed. He won riding titles at Santa Anita four times (1986, 88, 90, 93), Hollywood summer twice (1986, 88): Del Mar twice (1987-88), Oak Tree three times (1986-87, 97), and Hollywood fall four times (1986, 88, 92, 94)
He may have made his name out west but is a familiar face on the Triple Crown circuit. His victories in the Kentucky Derby began in 1988 aboard Winning Colors (PHOTO RIGHT) which he credits as his most exciting win, This was followed with victories by Thunder Gulch in 1995, and Silver Charm in 1997. Silver Charm came within a whisker of winning the triple crown.
In 1995, Gary won the first and last legs of the series with Thunder Gulch, trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Thunder Gulch finished third in the Preakness.
In 1998 Real Quiet won the Derby and the Preakness and looked to have the Crown wrapped up when Kent Desormeaux had him in front by five lengths in the stretch of the Belmont Stakes. And then along came Gary. In one of the greatest rides in history, Stevens and Victory Gallop caught Real Quiet by a nose to win the mile-and-a-half Test of the Champion.
Gary retired in December of 1999 with debilitating knee pain , but not before he had ridden a colt named Anees to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile the month before. Knee problems have plagued him. He underwent surgery Dec. 1, 1999 to have a cyst removed from his right knee; returned Dec. 26 of that year but announced his retirement that day, citing chronic pain and wear-and-tear on his knees. Prior to that knee surgery were operations in 1995, 1997 and 1998. Following retirement, he became an assistant trainer for trainer Alex Hassinger and the Thoroughbred Corp. but not riding was difficult for him. He resumed riding Oct. 4, 2000.
He was back in the Triple Crown limelight just a few months later with Derby favorite Point Given, son of Thunder Gulch. After suicidal early fractions, on a phony-fast racetrack, the Bob Baffert-trainee finished fifth to Monarchos. But it was Point Given, Baffert, Thoroughbred Corp. and Stevens who reigned supreme at Pimlico and Belmont Park, winning the Preakness, the Belmont. Gary feels that Point Given deserved the Triple Crown that year and that Kentucky Derby is perhaps the loss he regrets the most.
In 2003 Gary played the role of George Woolf in the acclaimed and Academy Award nominated movie SEABISCUIT. In the same year he was named one of People Magazines 50 Most Beautiful People.
Gary is married to Angie Athayde-Stevens whom he met of the set of Seabiscuit. He has four wonderful children from his first marriage: Ashley, TC, Riley and Carlie.
In 2005 Gary retired from racing and became a racing analyst for NBC and TVG.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 3, 2019
Gary Stevens is a Hall-of-Fame jockey and this is his autobiography. He openly and honestly relates his childhood, early training, and path to being one of the top jockeys in the world.
He’s not a great writer though, never finished high school, and never kept a journal or diary, so writing this book, even with the help of a professional was difficult. But who could forget the thrill of winning, or even the first time riding in a major race? He manages to include much about the significant races in his career, as well as the major injuries or personal setbacks that derailed and nearly ended his career. Still, I got bored at times with this work, and it seemed to just peter out, as if he’d pulled up mid race and just walked his horse back to the barn.
I’m a fan of horseracing but Stevens failed to convey the thrill and excitement of the sport in this book. Perhaps I should stick to books that are more about the horses than the jockeys who ride them.
He’s not a great writer though, never finished high school, and never kept a journal or diary, so writing this book, even with the help of a professional was difficult. But who could forget the thrill of winning, or even the first time riding in a major race? He manages to include much about the significant races in his career, as well as the major injuries or personal setbacks that derailed and nearly ended his career. Still, I got bored at times with this work, and it seemed to just peter out, as if he’d pulled up mid race and just walked his horse back to the barn.
I’m a fan of horseracing but Stevens failed to convey the thrill and excitement of the sport in this book. Perhaps I should stick to books that are more about the horses than the jockeys who ride them.
November 10, 2009
This book languished on my TBR for far too long. I thoroughly enjoyed this "insiders" view of professional horse racing and Gary Stevens' rise to the top. I liked Gary Stevens who seemed to be very caring about the sport and the horses, even if a bit too centered on his work to the detriment of his family. He certainly loved his family, but they didn't come first (a common failing in many of us).
I learned a lot about the role of the jockey and horse racing and it was fun reading this book while passing the Del Mar Race Track every day.
I learned a lot about the role of the jockey and horse racing and it was fun reading this book while passing the Del Mar Race Track every day.
August 29, 2008
One of the top jockeys in the business tells his story...really interesting behind-the-scenes look at the racing industry from an Idaho farm boy.
February 26, 2020
DNF - 50%
I am throwing in the towel on this one. Gary Stevens was my favorite jockey when I was growing up, and he had a tremendous career. I wish this book could reflect that, but it is so poorly written that I just don't care to continue reading it. There is so much jumping from one subject to another that the entire book lacks cohesion.
I am throwing in the towel on this one. Gary Stevens was my favorite jockey when I was growing up, and he had a tremendous career. I wish this book could reflect that, but it is so poorly written that I just don't care to continue reading it. There is so much jumping from one subject to another that the entire book lacks cohesion.
June 7, 2020
Great story of a great hockey and human being.
January 7, 2014
A good book for horse lovers or racing fans. Gary Stevens has had an incredible career as a jockey. Having recently been in the press for his latest comeback, this was an especially interesting read. The book is not all that well written, but not terrible either. So content wise, I'd give it four stars. From a writing perspective, 3 stars. His insider stories of some of horse racings most famous horses, trainers, and other jockeys were really entertaining. The flow was somewhat confusing sometimes, but overall I enjoyed it nonetheless.
October 31, 2012
Reading this book was like having a series of easy-going conversations with Gary Stevens: Hall of Fame jockey, movie star (Seabiscuit) and now horse-racing sports analyst. Great for horse-racing fans and horse lovers alike - Gary takes you right up onto the back of some very famous horses and explains race strategy and the life of a jockey, with all its ups and downs. A very enjoyable read!
November 21, 2015
I hated this book, and have done my best to put it from my mind. Gary Stevens doesn't exactly showcase himself in the best light here, so if you want to still like him, don't read this. I've put it from my mind and now I like him again.
December 18, 2015
a good read for those interested in or knowlegable about the horse racing industry. I enjoyed this famous jockey's life story and came to appreciate the struggles and sacrifices, not to mention the risks, that all horse jockeys face to pursue their dreams of winning the big races.
July 24, 2014
It was great enjoyed it very much
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2013
A great read for lovers of racing and fans of jockey Gary Stevens.
April 8, 2017
Man's got an ego, doesn't he? hahaha :-)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews