Former Quarter Horse jockey James Norman Brooks, affectionately known throughout the racing industry as “Diamond Jim,” passed away June 26 in Denton, Texas, just two days after celebrating his 75th birthday.

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By StallioneSearch

DENTON, TX–JUNE 27, 2026—Former Quarter Horse jockey James Norman Brooks, affectionately known throughout the racing industry as “Diamond Jim,” passed away June 26 in Denton, Texas, just two days after celebrating his 75th birthday.

A multiple Grade 1-winning rider, Brooks entered the racing industry in 1971 when a family friend helped him secure a job with Ruidoso Racehorse Hall of Fame trainer Don Farris in Apple Valley, California. He later moved to Los Alamitos Race Course, where he worked as an exercise rider for AQHA Hall of Fame jockey Robert Adair before launching a riding career that made him one of the leading Quarter Horse jockeys at Los Alamitos and Bay Meadows throughout the 1970s, 1980s and into the 1990s.

Among the standout runners Brooks piloted during his career were Smooth Me, Arete, Flashy Go Moore, Winning Copy, Turn Of The Moon, Kelly’s Coffer, Zillions, Go See Him, Staunches Velvet, Caylx, Woodstock Brown and Sir Jet Charger. After relocating his tack to Texas in the late 1990s, Brooks added three leading Quarter Horse rider titles at Lone Star Park and a riding championship at Sam Houston Race Park to his résumé.

His major stakes victories included the 2001 Texas Classic Futurity(G1) aboard Pretty Boy Perry, the 2002 Ruidoso Futurity(G1) with Zip First, and the Sam Houston Derby(G2) aboard Acorn. Brooks also earned widespread respect as one of the sport’s premier 870-yard specialists during a career that spanned more than three decades.

Brooks is survived by his wife, Laura; sons Curtis Blane Brooks of San Diego, California, Jarred Ray Brooks of Fort Worth, Texas, and twins Aaron Joseph and Taylor Anthony Brooks of Huntington Beach, California; his brother, Robert L. Brooks of Ponder, Texas; and four grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced when they become available.

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