Champion Quarter Horse jockey Carter coming out of retirement for All American Futurity
Former champion jockey G.R. Carter Jr., the all-time winningest rider in Quarter Horse racing, is coming out of retirement to ride Koolnfamous in the $3 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs on Sept. 5, the New Mexico track announced Sunday.
Carter has not ridden since December, but recently worked horses at Remington Park in Oklahoma. Carter began exercising horses at Ruidoso Downs on Friday and said he needs to lose 10 pounds to reach the 120-pound assignment for the All American Futurity.
“I have to pull another 10 pounds, but that shouldn’t be a problem,” Carter said in a statement released by the track. “I have plenty of time. I feel really good on a horse. I was expecting to be a little sore.”
Carter, 48, said last year that he did not rule out a comeback, if an opportunity occurred to ride a major race. He has been involved with an Oklahoma-based pipeline company that he founded with a lifelong friend earlier this decade.
Carter, who has won 3,803 races, has won two All American Futurities – on Falling in Loveagain in 1998 and Stolis Winner in 2008. He has been champion Quarter Horse jockey 10 times, most recently in 2012.
Koolnfamous was ridden by Esgar Ramirez to a win in a time trial for the All American Futurity on Aug. 19. Ramirez is booked to ride trial race winner Imperial Eagle in the All American Futurity, which is run at 440 yards.
Koolnfamous is trained by Toby Keeton.
“I’ve watched replays of his races, and he looks like he likes 440 yards,” Carter said of Koolnfamous.