A Partnership of Champions Beginning to Shine: Gary Stevens and Mike Smith

The former agreed to serve as agent for the latter in a Hall of Fame team; they already have victories together and are looking forward to much more

DEL MAR, California (Special for Turf Diario).— The magnitude of both names invites any comparison. It would be akin to imagining Magic Johnson representing LeBron James, Clint Eastwood securing roles for Tom Cruise, or Paul McCartney booking tour dates for Bruce Springsteen.

Something of that caliber is unfolding this summer at Del Mar, where retired Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens was hired as agent by another fully active Hall of Famer: Mike Smith. The news sent shockwaves through the California racing scene and quickly became one of the main talking points on the backside, right as the jockey colony navigates one of its most competitive meets in recent memory, further bolstered by the arrival of star riders such as Joel Rosario, Julien Leparoux, and Emisael Jaramillo.

Stevens has not race-ridden since 2018, closing out an extraordinary career featuring 5,187 victories and over $258 million in purse earnings. He won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 1998, one year after his induction into the Hall of Fame, and captured 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) titles, including the 1997 renewal aboard Silver Charm(Silver Buck). He also won 11 Breeders' Cup races.

Smith, for his part, boasts equally staggering credentials: over 5,800 career victories, more than $358 million in purse earnings, two Eclipse Awards, and Hall of Fame status since 2003. Furthermore, he has won the Kentucky Derbytwice and holds the all-time record for Breeders' Cup victories with 27 triumphs.

With such storied careers, one might imagine a fierce rivalry. However, the exact opposite is true. Stevens and Smithhave been close friends for decades, and this new partnership arrived at the perfect time for the former: "We text every day, just to see how the other is doing," Stevens recounted. "A month and a half ago, I was at my house in Hot Springs pretty bored, recovering from spinal surgery. I had a full neck fusion—a nine-hour operation—and mentally, I wasn't in a great place when Mike called."

The proposition was as unexpected as it was enticing: "'What do you think about coming out to be my agent?' he asked." The answer did not come immediately. Stevens requested 48 hours to process it: "I told him I wasn't sure I could do it. I still have trouble moving, and rehabilitation will take time. That was on a Monday. When I called him Wednesday, I still didn't know what to say. But during that conversation, a lightbulb went off and I felt I had to go. By the following Tuesday, I was driving out to Del Mar, and by Thursday, I was all settled in."

For Smith, it was not a simple decision either. For 24 years, he worked alongside Brad Pegram, one of the most respected agents in the industry: "Brad is an extraordinary agent and a great friend," Smith explained. "Since he began representing Flavien Prat, both of them have had an overwhelming workload, and it was getting difficult to manage everything."

Since Pegram remained at Saratoga and his father, Jim, was also unable to cover the Del Mar meet, Smith needed a temporary solution: "The first person who came to mind was Gary. I had seen him recently and knew he was recovering from surgery. I also thought getting out of the house, walking around, reconnecting with people in the business, and helping me out could serve as good therapy for him."

The bond between the two extends far beyond friendship. After decades of battling each other in the world's premier races, each knows precisely how the other thinks: "We competed against each other at the highest level for a very long time," Stevens recalled. "Every big race was like a high-pressure chess match. I knew practically what Mike was thinking before every move, and he knew my riding style inside and out. Sometimes we tried to catch each other off guard by changing tactics, but those were truly fun years."

Smith fully agrees: "He's like an older brother. We had a blast competing against one another. When I was riding on the East Coast, Gary stayed at my house; when I came to California, I did the same at his. That friendship never changed."

One memory that best illustrates their connection occurred in the 2016 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), when Beholder(Henny Hughes), with Stevens aboard, edged out Songbird (Medaglia D'Oro), ridden by Smith, in one of the most memorable finishes in recent history.

"We crossed the wire practically side by side," Smith recalled. "I saw Gary raise his arm in celebration and thought, 'Poor guy, he thinks he won, but I actually got him.' As we pulled up, I asked if he was sure. He said he was. I told him I wasn't so convinced." The photo finish confirmed Beholder's victory: "When we returned to the scale, I joked with him, 'You know I beat you.' And Gary replied, 'Maybe so, but I assure you my bank account is going to say otherwise.'"

Stevens looks back on that moment with a smile: "At the time, I said I would have preferred a dead-heat because neither mare deserved to lose. After all the interviews, I went to the jockeys' room with two glasses of champagne. Our lockers were right next to each other. We toasted, signed each other's glasses, and wrote down the date. It was a genuinely special moment."

That does not mean they ever stopped being fierce competitors.

"When Giacomo (Awesome Again) won the Kentucky Derby, I was already out of contention with Noble Causeway(Giant's Causeway). I looked up at the big screen and started rooting with everything I had for Mike to win," Stevensrecalled.

In recent years, Stevens began working as a jockey agent at Oaklawn Park, near his home: "I enjoy this work because it keeps me connected to racing. I had never represented a jockey of Mike's stature before. The top riders I handled were Nik Juarez and Jaime Torres, but neither was a Hall of Famer."

And contrary to what many might expect, managing the book of such a high-profile rider turned out to be simpler than anticipated: "There are fewer complications. It's nice when trainers are the ones calling you instead of the other way around," he added with a laugh.

The results were immediate. The partnership launched with a victory in the Iowa Sprint Stakes (L) at Prairie Meadows aboard Booth (Mitole) for trainer Steven Asmussen, and continued with another win during opening week at Del Mar courtesy of Native Land (Mastery).

"We've had a very solid start," Smith noted. "All the horses have run well, and I couldn't be more pleased." Stevensexplained that an agent's duties extend well beyond securing mounts: "Basically, I manage the jockey's schedule. Sometimes I spot a horse I like and call the trainer; other times, they reach out to us. You have to keep your word, honor commitments, and be honest with everyone. That's how I rode, and that's how I strive to work now."

Smith leaves those decisions entirely in his friend's hands: "I just focus on riding. Gary is a Hall of Famer and knows exactly what to do. I have complete trust in his judgment."

Now, the success of one is the success of the other. Both make the daily rounds through the Del Mar barn area in search of new opportunities, convinced that the season is only getting started. "I've been working the barns for Richard Mandella, Mark Glatt, and George Papaprodromou. Bob Baffert also reached out and mentioned he has more mounts to offer us. Plus, we're open to traveling if a good opportunity comes up at Saratoga or anywhere else. We'll see how the summer unfolds, but the outlook is extremely promising."