Cruz Mendez
2024 Recipient
Congratulations to Cruz Mendez for winning the 2024 Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey Award. What an honor it is to keep this award going for its 14th year and to keep honoring those in the jockey community who embody Sam’s spirit.
Cruz Mendez is 39 years old born in 1985. Started racing because he always liked to watch the races and an opportunity arose to work in the backside. He started as a groom in 2009 from there became exercise rider then jockey. Has been married since 2010 and has 1 child.
The past winners of the Sam Thompson Memorial Award include:
Roy Brooks (2011)
Gilbert Ortiz (2012)
G.R. Carter, Jr.(2013)
Cody Jensen (2014)
Eddie Garcia (2015)
Ramon Sanchez (2016)
Cesar De Alba (2017)
Ricky Ramirez (2018)
Esgar Ramirez (2019)
Jimmy D. Brooks (2021)
Cody Smith (2022)
Eduardo Nicasio (2023)
Cruz Mendez (2024)
Stormy Smith (2025)
