Martin A. Pedroza (born July 20, 1965, in Panama City, Panama) is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.
Pedroza trained at the Panama jockey school and in 1981 rode his first winner at Hipódromo Presidente Remón in Panama City. He emigrated to California for the 1983 racing season where he won more races than any other apprentice jockey during three meets at Santa Anita Park, Oak Tree and Los Alamitos. He is considered one of the best jockeys of all time.Martin Pedroza's biography NTRA, accessed July 13, 2011.
Major racing accomplishments Martin Pedroza won six consecutive races at Santa Anita Park on October 31, 1992, equaling that track's record held by Steve Valdez in 1973 and matched by Darrel McHargue in 1979 and by Laffit Pincay Jr. in 1987 and Patrick Valenzuela in 1988.Oak Tree Racing Association 2010 Media Guide, p. 21 Of the four record holders, only Pedroza earned his wins in successive races. In 2008, he won his 3000th career race at Fairplex Park on a day when he won a record seven races then followed up with another seven-race win day just two days later."Pedroza wins seven twice in three days" NTRA article September 8, 2008, accessed July 13, 2011.
At the 2005 Hollywood Park 2005 fall meet, Martin Pedroza won more races than any other jockey and in 2010 he won his thirteenth riding title at Fairplex Park, twelve of which have been consecutive since 1999. Pedroza's longtime agent is Richie Silversteinlongtime agent to Martin PedrozaFairplex Park Newsroom - September 27, 2010
On May 13, 2021, at Churchill Downs, Martin Pedroza rode his last race, having won 3,911 during his career. A resident of Duarte, California, he stayed in the business as an exercise jockey and voluntary advisor to young riders.
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