JJ Gonzales, known for his calm and reserved demeanor, often keeps his emotions well-hidden, so it was no surprise when he paused after hearing about an honor he had never encountered before. Born and raised in Senna, southeast of Santa Fe in San Miguel County, Gonzales was recently named to the Ruidoso Downs Racing Hall of Fame, a recognition that deeply moved him.
“I was quiet for a bit and even shed some tears,” Gonzales shared. “It was completely unexpected and caught me off guard, but I was incredibly happy. It was an emotional moment.” He was one of four inductees honored at a ceremony held Thursday evening at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino. Gonzales earned this distinction through his 16-year career as a jockey, during which he secured 1,000 wins in quarter horse races and nearly $16 million in prize money.
Throughout his career, Gonzales won every event considered part of the Quarter Horse Triple Crown, which includes the prestigious Rainbow Futurity and Ruidoso Futurity, the richest quarter horse races globally. His standout achievement was winning the All American Futurity in 2003, riding a horse he named himself.
In addition to his quarter horse successes, Gonzales also notched over 300 wins in thoroughbred racing across tracks from Oklahoma to California. He credits much of his success to his racing family background, particularly his father, James Gonzalez, who named him a trainer locally. The trust and respect from owners and trainers in his family helped establish his reputation both as a jockey and now as a trainer.
“I’ve worked with many great trainers, and I’m grateful for the opportunities at the Downs in Santa Fe and support from many people in northern New Mexico,” Gonzales said. His racing career spanned tracks from Espanola, Chimayo, Pojoaque to Las Vegas and extended into the 1990s, where he consistently earned over $1 million annually between 2000 and 2007.
Transitioning into training after an injury in 2008, Gonzales took several months to adjust but has since overseen horses that have earned more than $8 million in quarter horse and thoroughbred races. The last five years have been particularly successful, highlighted by a strong 2019 season with earnings around $1.75 million.
Gonzales’s legacy continues through his family—his sons James, Sebastian, and Matthew assist with training, while his wife, Antionet, manages the accounting side of the business. “I oversee things and handle public relations, but this is truly a family effort—a blessing and a dream come true,” he said.
Unfortunately, his Hall of Fame induction coincided with severe flooding that affected Ruidoso and its racetrack for the second year in a row. After extensive repairs following the 2024 flood, the track faced additional flooding, forcing the race schedule to move to Albuquerque Downs once again. “It’s tough on owners, jockeys, trainers, and management, but Mother Nature has her own plans,” Gonzales said. “Thankfully, the management teams in Ruidoso and Albuquerque collaborated to create a workable plan.”
Looking ahead, Gonzales hopes to add to his family’s rich racing heritage during the National Futurity race over Labor Day weekend in Albuquerque, aiming to become the first person to win as both a jockey and trainer. “I feel like I have a real shot this year,” he said.
Fan Take: JJ Gonzales’s Hall of Fame induction is a powerful testament to dedication and passion in horse racing, underscoring the sport’s deep roots in family and tradition. For fans, it highlights how the legacy of great jockeys can evolve into successful training careers, inspiring new generations and strengthening the future of horse racing.
