Quarter Horse jockey Cesar De Alba plans career change

CYPRESS, Calif. – Quarter Horse jockey Cesar De Alba is retiring this weekend and plans to begin training Thoroughbreds on the Southern California daytime circuit in 2019.

De Alba, 37, said on Tuesday that he is in the process of completing the certification process to secure a trainer’s license. He said he plans to be based at Los Alamitos and may have a small group of Quarter Horses racing at the track’s year-round nighttime meeting.

“I think I can start with a couple of Quarter Horses right off the bat,” he said. “The Thoroughbreds will take some time. I’m looking forward to claiming some Thoroughbreds of my own.”

De Alba, who has a background as an exercise rider for several Thoroughbred stables, said he has sought advice in recent weeks from Thoroughbred owner and former trainer Nick Hines and trainer Justin Clark about launching his operation.

“I spoke with Nick Hines to get some advice and tips,” De Alba said. “He said you need find clients with a lot of money. I understand what the risk is of not making any money for a few months. Getting the clients will be difficult.

“Thoroughbreds have been my passion. I want to try to make it as a trainer. I think it will be fun and a challenge.”

De Alba rode lower-level Thoroughbreds at Los Alamitos earlier this decade, but has focused primarily on Quarter Horses in recent years. Through Wednesday, De Alba has won 50 Quarter Horse races this year.

This weekend, he has mounts in the track’s three major stakes, including BH Lisas Boy in Saturday’s $600,000 Champion of Champions and Dexxter in Sunday’s $1.8 million Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity.