About Eddie Martin Jr.
A jockey with an estimated net worth of $2 million is Eddie Martin Jr. On December 8, 2006, at Aqueduct, riding Sweetiewheatie in a $30,000 claiming event, jockey Eddie Martin Jr. recorded win number 3000 in his career. He stated following the race, “I work each one hard. My understanding of it would come in due course. There were no annoyances. Being in New York is an honor for me. I’m happy I found it here or elsewhere. I can now focus on the 4,000. It is merely a number.
I’m going to put just as much effort into the next race. I hope there will be lots more to come. I’m in fantastic health, have good riding, and today isn’t even all that cold for me.”
His lineage:
On May 26, 1963, Eddie Martin Jr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His parents raised their sons in the racing industry from an early age because they owned racehorses and lived in the adjacent city of Slidell. His other brothers Ben and Chris both ride horses for exercise.
Growing Up:
When J.E. “Buster” Leger, his parents’ trainer, suggested he work on his farm the summer before entering ninth grade, he decided to get into horse racing. He picked up all the menial tasks and developed skills in horse care. Leger gave him permission to mount a horse the following summer, and the rest is history. Martin obtained his exercise rider license at the age of 16. Martin said that Mr. Leger was adamant that I master the basics before moving on to the next phase. For six months, I galloped for him until he decided it was time for me to obtain my apprentice license, which I did.
Best Horses
Since achieving his first victory in 1980 at Delta Downs while riding Morality, Martin has ridden several fine horses. Top mounts have competed in the 2004 Arlington Breeders’ Cup Oaks on Catboat, the 2004 Fifth Season Stakes on Spanish Empire, the 2004 Golden Rod Stakes on Runway Model, the 2004 Falls City Handicap on Halory Leigh, and the 2004 Arlington Breeders’ Cup Oaks on Real Cozzy (2001 Fair Grounds Oaks). He rode She Says It Best to win in the Alcibiades Stakes (G2) at Keeneland on October 7, 2006, his biggest career triumph and his first since breaking his shoulder on September 5 at Ellis Park.
Records Set:
He has raced at every significant track in the country, with the exception of Del Mar and Santa Anita Park, and is a fixture on the Midwest circuit. At his home track, the Fair Grounds, Martin was among the top three in the standings for 15 years. He has also won riding championships at Jefferson Downs, Beulah Park, Lone Star Park, and Fair Grounds. At the Fair Grounds on January 18, 2004, he rode six winners, tying the previous record. In Louisiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware, Texas, and now Illinois, he has achieved success.
Home Life:
He is married to Dorothy, with whom he shares three children: Beau, Alexandra, and Caitlyn. Hurricane Katrina wrecked his summer home in Bay St. Louis, MS, and caused damage to his home in Metairie, LA. He stated: “Last summer, my wife and girls visited Chicago. We traveled the entire area by car. When we were all standing on the lakefront one evening and gazing back at the skyline, we all seemed to agree that we would like to settle here. It is likely to occur. Dorothy is pursuing a psychology master’s degree. She’s on schedule to graduate the following year, which would allow us to relocate.”
Eddie Martin Jr.’s net worth is projected to reach $2 million as of 2023.
