19-year-old Jesse James Gonzalez will make his career riding debut on June 19 at the Downs at Albuquerque.

© L&F Co. Media

By Greg Thompson, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—JUNE 17, 2026—The next generation of one of Quarter Horse racing's current most accomplished families is set to take center stage Friday evening at The Downs at Albuquerque when 19-year-old Jesse James Gonzales makes his professional riding debut.

The son of Ruidoso Racehorse Hall of Fame inductee and All American Futurity(G1) winning jockey J.J. Gonzales, Jesse James will ride the 3-1 morning-line favorite Billbo Bagins in the fourth race on the June 19 card. The New Mexico-bred 2-year-old races for owner Paul Blanchard and trainer Javier M. Chavez.

The debut comes aboard a horse trained by one of Jesse James' own family members, as Grade 1-winning conditioner James Gonzales III, his older brother, oversees the colt's preparation.

A native of New Mexico, Gonzales excelled in athletics long before pursuing a career in racing at the high school level. While attending Las Vegas Robertson High School, he was a member of two state championship basketball teams and one state championship football team.

Like many members of the Gonzales family before him, Jesse James was introduced to the racing industry at an early age. Alongside his twin brother, Nathaniel, and older brothers James III, Sebastian, and Matthew, Jesse spent summers at both the family ranch and racetracks throughout New Mexico, gaining firsthand experience around horses and other horsemen.

Following graduation, Gonzales elected to pursue racing full time, dedicating himself to learning the craft and preparing for a professional race riding career.

"Jesse James has been getting on plenty of yearlings, and has spent a lot of time learning at the track on race horses," said his father, James "J.J." Gonzales II. "I have seen lots of progress in him within the last eight to 10 months, and I thought it was time for him to make the next step to going out as a professional. We are hopeful for his chances on Friday in the maiden race, and his whole family will be there wishing him the best of luck."

Jesse James enters the profession carrying a surname synonymous with Quarter Horse racing success. In 2025, his father J.J. was inducted into the Ruidoso Racehorse Hall of Fame, for a riding career that was highlighted by the win aboard By By JJ in the 2003 All American Futurity(G1).

Now, more than two decades after his father's All American Futurity triumph, Jesse James Gonzales will take the first official steps of his own racing journey when the gates open Friday evening at The Downs at Albuquerque.

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