Veteran jockey Stormy Smith will be honored as the 2025 recipient of the Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey Award during Texas Classic Futurity (G1) night at Lone Star Park.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Greg Thompson, StallioneSearch

DALLAS, TX–OCTOBER 1, 2025–The jockey colony of Lone Star Park, along with past recipients of the prestigious Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey Award, will gather in the winner’s circle on Texas Classic Futurity (G1) night at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, to honor veteran rider Stormy Smith as the newest recipient of the award.

Presented annually since 2011, the Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey Award is one of the highest honors in Quarter Horse racing. Modeled after the Thoroughbred industry’s George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, it is voted on by past recipients. It recognizes riders whose careers and personal character exemplify professionalism both on and off the racetrack.

Smith, 47, is a multiple Grade 1-winning jockey and a member of the Prairie Meadows Racing Hall of Fame. Over the course of a three-decade career, he has earned the respect of fellow horsemen and fans alike for his horsemanship, dedication, and leadership in the jockey’s room.

“This is a tremendous honor,” said Smith. “To be recognized by fellow riders and to have my name added to the list of winners before me is really amazing. It means a great deal to me and my family, and I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone who voted for me.”

The award is named in memory of the late Sam Thompson, a respected jockey and longtime jockey’s room valet. It continues to honor riders whose integrity, ability, and sportsmanship have left a lasting impact on the Quarter Horse racing community.

Past winners of the Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey 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), and Cruz Mendez (2024).

Smith will receive the award during the Texas Classic Futurity finals at Lone Star Park on November 15, 2025, joined in the presentation by the Lone Star jockey colony, past honorees, and members of the Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation.

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