Jose Olivares

Inducted 2005

791 Career Victories

Six-time Finger Lakes Leading Jockey: 1964 – 1967, 1969-1970
Three-time winner of the New York Breeders’ Futurity (’63, ’67, ’69)
Named “Most Courageous Athlete” by Rochester Press-Radio Club - 1971

Jose Olivares, a native of Cuba, began his riding career at the age of 16. He arrived at Finger Lakes when the track opened in 1962 and through a strong work ethic and partnership with trainer H. Dean Montgomery, he quickly established himself as one of the top riders and built a legacy that others attempt to emulate to this day.

Six times in a span of seven years between 1964 and 1970 Olivares was leading rider at Finger Lakes, and was also a top rider at Thistledown, Waterford Park, Florida Downs and Tampa Bay Downs. Tragically, at the age of 29, Olivares’ career was cut short when he was paralyzed during a spill at Finger Lakes on September 17, 1970. At the time, he was the sixth leading rider in the nation with 114 victories.

In addition to his tremendous riding talents, Olivares exhibited tremendous personal qualities as shown by his commitment to his family, friends and fellow riders. As he climbed the ladder of success in his riding career he used his earnings to move his family from Cuba, one-by-one. Then, just two weeks before the spill that ended his career, he saved two other riders on the same racing day from possible major injuries or worse. First, after Dave Zambrana’s mount lost his bridle coming out of the starting gate, and with Zambrana hanging on to only the horse’s mane, Olivares escorted them around the racetrack to the finish line. Later that day, Joel McCullar’s horse bobbled badly coming out of the gate and Olivares, who was breaking right next to McCullar, lifted him back into his saddle.