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|occupation = [[Jockey]]
|occupation = [[Jockey]]
|birth_place = [[Panama City]], [[Panama]]
|birth_place = [[Panama City]], [[Panama]]
|birth_date = March 25, 1964
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|3|25}}
|death_date =
|death_date =
|career wins = 5,035 {{as of|2017|}}<ref name=equibase>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=People&searchType=J&eID=1782|title=Alex Solis |publisher=Equibase|accessdate=3 January 2015}}</ref>
|career wins = 5,035 {{as of|2017|}}<ref name=equibase>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=People&searchType=J&eID=1782|title=Alex Solis |publisher=Equibase|access-date=3 January 2015}}</ref>
|race = '''[[American Classic Races|American Classics]] wins:'''<br>[[Preakness Stakes]] (1986)
|race = {{ubl|
* '''[[American Classic Races|American Classics]] wins:'''
* [[Preakness Stakes]] (1986)


'''[[Breeders' Cup]] wins:'''<br>[[Breeders' Cup Sprint]] (2000)<br>[[Breeders' Cup Turf]] (2003)<br>[[Breeders' Cup Classic]] (2003)
* '''[[Breeders' Cup]] wins:'''
* [[Breeders' Cup Sprint]] (2000)
* [[Breeders' Cup Turf]] (2003)
* [[Breeders' Cup Classic]] (2003)


'''[[Canadian Classic Races|Canadian Classic Race]] wins:'''<br />[[Breeders' Stakes]] (2012)
* '''[[Canadian Classic Races|Canadian Classic Race]] wins:'''
* [[Breeders' Stakes]] (2012)


'''International race wins:'''<br>
* '''International race wins:'''
[[Dubai Golden Shaheen]] (2000, 2004)<br>[[Dubai World Cup]] (2004)
* [[Dubai Golden Shaheen]] (2000, 2004)
* [[Dubai World Cup]] (2004)
}}


{{collapsible list|title=Graded Stakes wins|hlist=true|
{{collapsible list|title=Graded Stakes wins|hlist=true|
[[Florida Derby]] (1986, 1997)<br>[[Santa Anita Derby]] (1986, 2006)<br>[[San Juan Capistrano Handicap]]<br>(1986, 1996, 2006)<br>[[Los Angeles Handicap]]<br>(1988, 1999, 2002, 2006)<br>[[Hollywood Derby]] (1989, 1999, 2002)<br>[[La Brea Stakes]] (1990, 2002)<br>[[Malibu Stakes]] (1990, 2000)<br>[[San Felipe Stakes]] (1990, 1992)<br>[[Del Mar Oaks]] (1992, 2008)<br>[[Eatontown Handicap]] (2000)<br>[[John C. Mabee Handicap]] (2003)<br>[[Eddie Read Handicap]] (2001, 2005, 2007)<br>[[Bing Crosby Handicap]] (1988, 1998, 2000, 2001)<br>[[Pat O'Brien Handicap]] (2006)<br>[[Del Mar Handicap]] (1990, 1997, 2003, 2006)<br>[[Del Mar Debutante Stakes]]<br>(1990, 1991, 1994, 2005)<br>[[Del Mar Futurity]] (1991, 1994)<br>[[Santa Paula Stakes]] (1995, 1997, 2007)<br>[[La Canada Stakes]] (1996, 2003, 2004)<br>[[Personal Ensign Handicap|Morris Handicap]] (1996)<br>[[Pacific Classic Stakes]] (1996)<br>[[Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes]] (1997)<br>[[Wood Memorial Stakes]] (1997)<br>[[Yellow Ribbon Stakes]] (1997, 2005, 2009)<br>[[Santa Anita Handicap]] (1998)<br>[[Vernon O. Underwood Stakes]] (1999)<br>[[Providencia Stakes]](1999, 2002, 2005)<br>[[San Gabriel Handicap]] (2000, 2003)<br>[[Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes]] (2001)<br>[[Secretariat Stakes]] (2001)<br>[[Manhattan Handicap]] (2002)<br>[[Del Mar Handicap]] (2003, 2006)<br>[[Sham Stakes]] (2003, 2004, 2009, 2010)<br>[[Sunshine Millions Sprint]] (2003)<br>[[Carter Handicap]] (2004)<br>[[Metropolitan Handicap]] (2004)<br>[[Acorn Stakes]] (2006)<br>[[Eddie Logan Stakes]] (2007)<br>[[Las Cienegas Handicap]] (2008)<br>[[Gamely Stakes]] (2009)<br>[[San Clemente Handicap]] (2009)<br> [[Sham Stakes]] (2009)<br> [[San Rafael Stakes]] (2009)<br> [[Railbird Stakes]] (2010)
[[Florida Derby]] (1986, 1997)|[[Santa Anita Derby]] (1986, 2006)|[[San Juan Capistrano Handicap]]|(1986, 1996, 2006)|[[Los Angeles Handicap]]|(1988, 1999, 2002, 2006)|[[Hollywood Derby]] (1989, 1999, 2002)|[[La Brea Stakes]] (1990, 2002)|[[Malibu Stakes]] (1990, 2000)|[[San Felipe Stakes]] (1990, 1992)|[[Del Mar Oaks]] (1992, 2008)|[[Hawthorne Handicap]] (1993)|[[Eatontown Handicap]] (2000)|[[John C. Mabee Handicap]] (2003)|[[Eddie Read Handicap]] (2001, 2005, 2007)|[[Bing Crosby Handicap]] (1988, 1998, 2000, 2001)|[[Pat O'Brien Handicap]] (2006)|[[Del Mar Handicap]] (1990, 1997, 2003, 2006)|[[Del Mar Debutante Stakes]]|(1990, 1991, 1994, 2005)|[[Del Mar Futurity]] (1991, 1994)|[[Santa Paula Stakes]] (1995, 1997, 2007)|[[La Cañada Stakes]] (1996, 2003, 2004)|[[Personal Ensign Handicap|Morris Handicap]] (1996)|[[Pacific Classic Stakes]] (1996)|[[Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes]] (1997)|[[Wood Memorial Stakes]] (1997)|[[Yellow Ribbon Stakes]] (1997, 2005, 2009)|[[Santa Anita Handicap]] (1998)|[[Vernon O. Underwood Stakes]] (1999)|[[Providencia Stakes]](1999, 2002, 2005)|[[San Gabriel Handicap]] (2000, 2003)|[[Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes]] (2001)|[[Secretariat Stakes]] (2001)|[[Manhattan Handicap]] (2002)|[[Del Mar Handicap]] (2003, 2006)|[[Sham Stakes]] (2003, 2004, 2009, 2010)|[[Sunshine Millions Sprint]] (2003)|[[Carter Handicap]] (2004)|[[Metropolitan Handicap]] (2004)|[[Acorn Stakes]] (2006)|[[Eddie Logan Stakes]] (2007)|[[Las Cienegas Handicap]] (2008)|[[Gamely Stakes]] (2009)|[[San Clemente Handicap]] (2009)| [[Sham Stakes]] (2009)| [[San Rafael Stakes]] (2009)| [[Railbird Stakes]] (2010)
}}
}}
|awards = [[George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award]] (1997)
|awards = [[George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award]] (1997)
|honours = {{ubl|
|honours = [[Calder Race Course#Calder Race Course Hall of Fame|Calder Race Course Hall of Fame]] (2002)<br>[[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame|United States Racing Hall of Fame]] (2014)
* [[Calder Race Course#Calder Race Course Hall of Fame|Calder Race Course Hall of Fame]] (2002)
⚫
|horses = [[Snow Chief]], [[Kona Gold]], [[Beat Hollow]],<br>[[Pleasantly Perfect]], [[Captain Bodgit]],<br>[[Victory Gallop]], [[Brother Derek]],<br>[[The Pamplemousse]], [[Irish Mission]]
* [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame|United States Racing Hall of Fame]] (2014)
}}
⚫
|horses = [[Snow Chief]], [[Kona Gold]], [[Beat Hollow]], [[Pleasantly Perfect]], [[Captain Bodgit]], [[Victory Gallop]], [[Brother Derek]], [[Megahertz]], [[The Pamplemousse]], [[Irish Mission]]
|updated = April 13, 2007
|updated = April 13, 2007
}}
}}
'''Alex O. Solis''' (born March 25, 1964) is a [[jockey]] based in the [[United States]]. He currently lives in [[Glendora, California]] and rides predominantly in [[Southern California]]. He got his big break and his first gained national prominence when he won the 1986 [[Preakness Stakes]] with [[Snow Chief]]. In 2014, he was elected to the horse racing hall of fame and on January 1, 2015, became the 29th jockey in North American history to have 5,000 wins.<ref name=BH1Jan>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/89393/milestone-5000th-victory-for-jockey-solis|title=Milestone 5,000th Victory for Jockey Solis|author=Blood-Horse Staff|date=1 January 2015|work=Blood-Horse|accessdate=3 January 2015}}</ref>
'''Alex O. Solis''' (born March 25, 1964) is a Panamanian [[jockey]] based in the United States. He lives in [[Glendora, California]] and rides predominantly in [[Southern California]]. He got his big break and his first gained national prominence when he won the 1986 [[Preakness Stakes]] with [[Snow Chief]]. In 2014, he was elected to the horse racing hall of fame and on January 1, 2015, became the 29th jockey in North American history to have 5,000 wins.<ref name=BH1Jan>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/89393/milestone-5000th-victory-for-jockey-solis|title=Milestone 5,000th Victory for Jockey Solis|author=Blood-Horse Staff|date=1 January 2015|work=Blood-Horse|access-date=3 January 2015}}</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
He grew up poor<ref name=Paulick>{{cite web|url=http://www.paulickreport.com/news/people/grateful-solis-stays-humble-thanks-horses-after-5000th-win/|title=‘Grateful’ Solis Stays Humble, Thanks Horses After 5000th Win|publisher=|accessdate=3 January 2015}}</ref> on a farm in San Carlos, Panama, where he spent a lot of time around horses. He visited a race track for the first time when he was 13 and by 14 was enrolled in a jockey school.<ref name=runner>{{cite web|url=http://www.runnersworld.com/celebrity-runners/im-runner-alex-solis?page=single |title=I'm a Runner: Alex Solis |date=24 April 2012 |work=Runner's World & Running Times |accessdate=3 January 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103142945/http://www.runnersworld.com/celebrity-runners/im-runner-alex-solis?page=single |archivedate=3 January 2015 }}</ref> After two years in jockey school and after becoming the leading apprentice jockey in Panama, he came to the United States in 1982 with only $700 and did not speak English. He began his American career at [[Calder Race Course]] in Florida, where he quickly achieved racing success and was given the nickname ''El Maestrito'' ("The Little Master"). He told interviewers that he worked to improve his English by watching television and listening to music.<ref name=Nadal>{{cite web|last1=Nadal|title=The Derby Favorite : Jockey Alex Solis Is Cool Customer in the Hot Seat Aboard Snow Chief|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1986-04-20/sports/sp-1171_1_snow-chief|website=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=3 January 2015|date=April 20, 1986}}</ref>
He grew up poor<ref name=Paulick>{{cite web|url=http://www.paulickreport.com/news/people/grateful-solis-stays-humble-thanks-horses-after-5000th-win/|title='Grateful' Solis Stays Humble, Thanks Horses After 5000th Win|date=2 January 2015 |access-date=3 January 2015}}</ref> on a farm in San Carlos, Panama, where he spent a lot of time around horses. He visited a race track for the first time when he was 13 and by 14 was enrolled in a jockey school.<ref name=runner>{{cite web|url=http://www.runnersworld.com/celebrity-runners/im-runner-alex-solis?page=single |title=I'm a Runner: Alex Solis |date=24 April 2012 |work=Runner's World & Running Times |access-date=3 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103142945/http://www.runnersworld.com/celebrity-runners/im-runner-alex-solis?page=single |archive-date=3 January 2015 }}</ref> After two years in jockey school and after becoming the leading apprentice jockey in Panama, he came to the United States in 1982 with only $700 and did not speak English. He began his American career at [[Calder Race Course]] in Florida, where he quickly achieved racing success and was given the nickname ''El Maestrito'' ("The Little Master"). He told interviewers that he worked to improve his English by watching television and listening to music.<ref name=Nadal>{{cite web|last1=Nadal|title=The Derby Favorite : Jockey Alex Solis Is Cool Customer in the Hot Seat Aboard Snow Chief|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-04-20-sp-1171-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=3 January 2015|date=April 20, 1986}}</ref>


==Racing career==
==Racing career==
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Solis' first rode in the [[Kentucky Derby]] in 1983 on a longshot named Current Hope, and did not place in the money. He rode the Derby again in 1986 on [[Snow Chief]], who had won the [[Santa Anita Derby]] and was the morning line favorite, but again finished well back. The horse and rider went on to with the [[Preakness Stakes]] that year,<ref name=Nadal/> marking Solis' only win to date in an American Triple Crown race. He was third in the 1991 Derby on [[Mane Minister]], and also third in the [[Belmont Stakes]] on the same horse. Solis finished second in the [[Kentucky Derby]] and third in the Preakness with [[Captain Bodgit]] in 1997, second in the Derby with [[Victory Gallop]] in 1998 and second in both the Derby and the Belmont with [[Aptitude (horse)|Aptitude]] in 2000. His first [[Breeders' Cup]] win was the 2000 [[Breeders' Cup Sprint]] on [[Kona Gold]]. He won two Breeders' Cup races in 2003 with [[Johar]] (who finished in a [[Tie (draw)|dead heat]]) in the [[Breeders' Cup Turf]], and the [[Breeders' Cup Classic]] on [[Pleasantly Perfect]], both trained by [[Richard Mandella]]. He ended 2003 ranked fourth nationally in purse earnings with a career-best $16,304,252.<ref name=equibase />
Solis' first rode in the [[Kentucky Derby]] in 1983 on a longshot named Current Hope, and did not place in the money. He rode the Derby again in 1986 on [[Snow Chief]], who had won the [[Santa Anita Derby]] and was the morning line favorite, but again finished well back. The horse and rider went on to with the [[Preakness Stakes]] that year,<ref name=Nadal/> marking Solis' only win to date in an American Triple Crown race. He was third in the 1991 Derby on [[Mane Minister]], and also third in the [[Belmont Stakes]] on the same horse. Solis finished second in the [[Kentucky Derby]] and third in the Preakness with [[Captain Bodgit]] in 1997, second in the Derby with [[Victory Gallop]] in 1998 and second in both the Derby and the Belmont with [[Aptitude (horse)|Aptitude]] in 2000. His first [[Breeders' Cup]] win was the 2000 [[Breeders' Cup Sprint]] on [[Kona Gold]]. He won two Breeders' Cup races in 2003 with [[Johar]] (who finished in a [[Tie (draw)|dead heat]]) in the [[Breeders' Cup Turf]], and the [[Breeders' Cup Classic]] on [[Pleasantly Perfect]], both trained by [[Richard Mandella]]. He ended 2003 ranked fourth nationally in purse earnings with a career-best $16,304,252.<ref name=equibase />


He won the 2004 [[Dubai World Cup]] on Pleasantly Perfect,<ref name=runner/> and the 2006 Santa Anita Derby aboard [[Brother Derek]].<ref name=equibasestakes>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=StakesListing&searchType=J&eID=1782|title=Alex Solis Graded Stakes|publisher=Equibase |accessdate=3 January 2015}}</ref> In 2010, Solis rode [[Mandurah]] to a new world record for a mile on the turf at [[Monmouth Park]], 1:31.23, breaking the previous record of 1:31.41 set by Mister Light in 2005 at [[Gulfstream Park]].
He won the 2004 [[Dubai World Cup]] on Pleasantly Perfect,<ref name=runner/> and the 2006 Santa Anita Derby aboard [[Brother Derek]].<ref name=equibasestakes>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=StakesListing&searchType=J&eID=1782|title=Alex Solis Graded Stakes|publisher=Equibase |access-date=3 January 2015}}</ref> In 2010, Solis rode [[Mandurah]] to a new world record for a mile on the turf at [[Monmouth Park]], 1:31.23, breaking the previous record of 1:31.41 set by Mister Light in 2005 at [[Gulfstream Park]].


His son, Alex Solis II, born in 1984, became a [[bloodstock agent]] when he was 20 years old, and owns several racehorses, some of whom his father has ridden in races.<ref name=PaulickSolisII>{{cite web|url=http://www.paulickreport.com/news/people/for-the-solis-family-racing-is-in-the-bloodstock/|title=For the Solis Family, Racing is in the Blood(stock)|publisher=Paulick Report |accessdate=3 January 2015}}</ref> In 2009, Solis won the [[Sham Stakes]] aboard [[The Pamplemousse]], a horse who was part-owned by Alex II, and in 2012 rode the filly [[Irish Mission]] to victory on the turf at [[Woodbine Racetrack|Woodbine]] to capture the [[Breeders' Stakes]]. The win marked his first ever victory in a [[Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|Canadian Triple Crown]] race.
His first two sons, Alex Solis II and Andreu Solis, both became bloodstock agents and purchase and sell horses for various clients, some of whom his father has ridden in races.<ref name=PaulickSolisII>{{cite web|url=http://www.paulickreport.com/news/people/for-the-solis-family-racing-is-in-the-bloodstock/|title=For the Solis Family, Racing is in the Blood(stock)|date=26 September 2014 |publisher=Paulick Report |access-date=3 January 2015}}</ref> In 2009, Solis won the [[Sham Stakes]] aboard [[The Pamplemousse]], a horse who was part-owned by Alex II, and in 2012 rode the filly [[Irish Mission]] to victory on the turf at [[Woodbine Racetrack|Woodbine]] to capture the [[Breeders' Stakes]]. The win marked his first ever victory in a [[Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|Canadian Triple Crown]] race.


Solis' most serious riding injury was a broken back in 2004, when he was out eight months following surgery that included two titanium rods and eight screws. He has also had broken knees, fingers, does, ribs and his left leg.<ref name=runner/> He was one of the jockeys featured in [[Animal Planet]]'s 2009 reality documentary, [[Jockeys (TV documentary)|''Jockeys'']], something he enjoyed doing, but felt that the end product did not accurately portray the life of a jockey. He commented, " They put more drama–or a different type of drama–into horse racing. The sport is already full of drama with all the hardships that jockeys have to go through, such as breaking bones. So they didn't need to add more drama."<ref name=runner/>
Solis' most serious riding injury was a broken back in 2004, when he was out eight months following surgery that included two titanium rods and eight screws. He has also had broken knees, fingers, toes, ribs and his left leg.<ref name=runner/> He was one of the jockeys featured in [[Animal Planet]]'s 2009 reality documentary, [[Jockeys (TV documentary)|''Jockeys'']], something he enjoyed doing, but felt that the end product did not accurately portray the life of a jockey. He commented, " They put more drama–or a different type of drama–into horse racing. The sport is already full of drama with all the hardships that jockeys have to go through, such as breaking bones. So they didn't need to add more drama."<ref name=runner/>


In 2002, Solis was inducted in the [[Calder Race Course#Calder Race Course Hall of Fame|Calder Race Course Hall of Fame]]. He was elected to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in 2014 and earned his 5,000th North American racing win at [[Santa Anita Park]] on January 1, 2015, becoming only the 29th jockey in North American history to do so.<ref name=BH1Jan/> His 5,000th win came on a horse named Lutine Belle, owned partly by trainer [[Jerry Hollendorfer]] and part-owned by Solis' son Alex II.<ref name=Paulick/>
In 2002, Solis was inducted in the [[Calder Race Course#Calder Race Course Hall of Fame|Calder Race Course Hall of Fame]]. In 2010, Solis was inducted into the Panama Racing Hall of Fame. He was elected to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in 2014 and earned his 5,000th North American racing win at [[Santa Anita Park]] on January 1, 2015, becoming only the 29th jockey in North American history to do so.<ref name=BH1Jan/> His 5,000th win came on a horse named Lutine Belle, owned partly by trainer [[Jerry Hollendorfer]] and part-owned by Solis' son Alex II.<ref name=Paulick/>


On April 30, 2015, Solis was appointed by Governor [[Jerry Brown]] to the [[California Horse Racing Board]] to fill the seat vacated by [[Bo Derek]]. His appointment must be confirmed by the [[California State Senate|State Senate]]. He plans to continue riding horses while serving on the board.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91688/hof-jockey-alex-solis-appointed-to-chrb|title=HOF Jockey Alex Solis Appointed to CHRB|last1=Balan|first1=Jeremy|date=30 April 2015|website=bloodhorse.com|publisher=The BloodHorse|access-date=1 May 2015}}</ref>
On April 30, 2015, Solis was appointed by Governor [[Jerry Brown]] to the [[California Horse Racing Board]] to fill the seat vacated by [[Bo Derek]]. His appointment must be confirmed by the [[California State Senate|State Senate]]. He plans to continue riding horses while serving on the board.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91688/hof-jockey-alex-solis-appointed-to-chrb|title=HOF Jockey Alex Solis Appointed to CHRB|last1=Balan|first1=Jeremy|date=30 April 2015|website=bloodhorse.com|publisher=The BloodHorse|access-date=1 May 2015}}</ref>


On November 26, 2017, he announced his retirement from riding horses.
On November 26, 2017, he announced his retirement from riding horses and is currently working with his son Andreu and Matt Weinmann at Equine Analysis finding future G1 Winners and Champions.


Alex Solis has a son named Austin who is also a jockey.
Alex Solis has a son named Austin who is also a jockey.


===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
[[File:Santa Anita Jan 2009 (3203469546).jpg|thumb|left|Solis in 2009]]
[[File:Alex Solis at Santa Anita, Jan 2009.jpg|thumb|left|Solis in 2009]]
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144908/http://files.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?id=1835 Alex Solis at the NTRA]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144908/http://files.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?id=1835 Alex Solis at the NTRA]
*[http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/alex-solis Stories on Solis in the Los Angeles Times]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160305203457/http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/alex-solis Stories on Solis in the Los Angeles Times]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Solis, Alex}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Solis, Alex}}
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[[Category:Panamanian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Panamanian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Panama City]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Panama City]]
[[Category:People from Glendora, California]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Glendora, California]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Los Angeles County, California]]

Latest revision as of 20:29, 10 October 2024

Alex Solis
Alex Solis, 2006
OccupationJockey
Born (1964-03-25) March 25, 1964 (age 60)
Panama City, Panama
Career wins5,035 As of 2017[1]
Major racing wins
Graded Stakes wins
Racing awards
George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award (1997)
Honours
Significant horses
Snow Chief, Kona Gold, Beat Hollow, Pleasantly Perfect, Captain Bodgit, Victory Gallop, Brother Derek, Megahertz, The Pamplemousse, Irish Mission

Alex O. Solis (born March 25, 1964) is a Panamanian jockey based in the United States. He lives in Glendora, California and rides predominantly in Southern California. He got his big break and his first gained national prominence when he won the 1986 Preakness Stakes with Snow Chief. In 2014, he was elected to the horse racing hall of fame and on January 1, 2015, became the 29th jockey in North American history to have 5,000 wins.[2]

Background

[edit]

He grew up poor[3] on a farm in San Carlos, Panama, where he spent a lot of time around horses. He visited a race track for the first time when he was 13 and by 14 was enrolled in a jockey school.[4] After two years in jockey school and after becoming the leading apprentice jockey in Panama, he came to the United States in 1982 with only $700 and did not speak English. He began his American career at Calder Race Course in Florida, where he quickly achieved racing success and was given the nickname El Maestrito ("The Little Master"). He told interviewers that he worked to improve his English by watching television and listening to music.[5]

Racing career

[edit]
Solis on Leandros, Santa Anita Park, 2009

Solis' first rode in the Kentucky Derby in 1983 on a longshot named Current Hope, and did not place in the money. He rode the Derby again in 1986 on Snow Chief, who had won the Santa Anita Derby and was the morning line favorite, but again finished well back. The horse and rider went on to with the Preakness Stakes that year,[5] marking Solis' only win to date in an American Triple Crown race. He was third in the 1991 Derby on Mane Minister, and also third in the Belmont Stakes on the same horse. Solis finished second in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Preakness with Captain Bodgit in 1997, second in the Derby with Victory Gallop in 1998 and second in both the Derby and the Belmont with Aptitude in 2000. His first Breeders' Cup win was the 2000 Breeders' Cup Sprint on Kona Gold. He won two Breeders' Cup races in 2003 with Johar (who finished in a dead heat) in the Breeders' Cup Turf, and the Breeders' Cup Classic on Pleasantly Perfect, both trained by Richard Mandella. He ended 2003 ranked fourth nationally in purse earnings with a career-best $16,304,252.[1]

He won the 2004 Dubai World Cup on Pleasantly Perfect,[4] and the 2006 Santa Anita Derby aboard Brother Derek.[6] In 2010, Solis rode Mandurah to a new world record for a mile on the turf at Monmouth Park, 1:31.23, breaking the previous record of 1:31.41 set by Mister Light in 2005 at Gulfstream Park.

His first two sons, Alex Solis II and Andreu Solis, both became bloodstock agents and purchase and sell horses for various clients, some of whom his father has ridden in races.[7] In 2009, Solis won the Sham Stakes aboard The Pamplemousse, a horse who was part-owned by Alex II, and in 2012 rode the filly Irish Mission to victory on the turf at Woodbine to capture the Breeders' Stakes. The win marked his first ever victory in a Canadian Triple Crown race.

Solis' most serious riding injury was a broken back in 2004, when he was out eight months following surgery that included two titanium rods and eight screws. He has also had broken knees, fingers, toes, ribs and his left leg.[4] He was one of the jockeys featured in Animal Planet's 2009 reality documentary, Jockeys, something he enjoyed doing, but felt that the end product did not accurately portray the life of a jockey. He commented, " They put more drama–or a different type of drama–into horse racing. The sport is already full of drama with all the hardships that jockeys have to go through, such as breaking bones. So they didn't need to add more drama."[4]

In 2002, Solis was inducted in the Calder Race Course Hall of Fame. In 2010, Solis was inducted into the Panama Racing Hall of Fame. He was elected to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in 2014 and earned his 5,000th North American racing win at Santa Anita Park on January 1, 2015, becoming only the 29th jockey in North American history to do so.[2] His 5,000th win came on a horse named Lutine Belle, owned partly by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and part-owned by Solis' son Alex II.[3]

On April 30, 2015, Solis was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the California Horse Racing Board to fill the seat vacated by Bo Derek. His appointment must be confirmed by the State Senate. He plans to continue riding horses while serving on the board.[8]

On November 26, 2017, he announced his retirement from riding horses and is currently working with his son Andreu and Matt Weinmann at Equine Analysis finding future G1 Winners and Champions.

Alex Solis has a son named Austin who is also a jockey.

Year-end charts

[edit]
Solis in 2009
Chart (2000–present)[1] Peak
position
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2000 11
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2001 8
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2002 8
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2003 4
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2004 9
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2005 14
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2006 12
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2007 35
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2008 37
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2009 30
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2010 66
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2011 28
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2012 91
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2013 77
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2014 175

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Alex Solis". Equibase. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  2. ^ a b Blood-Horse Staff (1 January 2015). "Milestone 5,000th Victory for Jockey Solis". Blood-Horse. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  3. ^ a b "'Grateful' Solis Stays Humble, Thanks Horses After 5000th Win". 2 January 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d "I'm a Runner: Alex Solis". Runner's World & Running Times. 24 April 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  5. ^ a b Nadal (April 20, 1986). "The Derby Favorite : Jockey Alex Solis Is Cool Customer in the Hot Seat Aboard Snow Chief". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  6. ^ "Alex Solis Graded Stakes". Equibase. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  7. ^ "For the Solis Family, Racing is in the Blood(stock)". Paulick Report. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  8. ^ Balan, Jeremy (30 April 2015). "HOF Jockey Alex Solis Appointed to CHRB". bloodhorse.com. The BloodHorse. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
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