Joseph Talamo

Birthdate: January 12, 1990.

Birthplace: Marrero, La.

Residence: Monrovia, Calif.

Jockey Joe Talamo has a birth certificate that claims he was born on January 12, 1990, but the talented rider is accompanied by an old mind. His maturity at a young age has been likened to that of Hall of Fame jockey Steve Cauthen.

Trainer Brian Koriner had no reservations about putting Talamo, then 19, aboard California Flag for a victory in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

“Joe is very dedicated, something exceptional to see at such a young age,” said Koriner at the time. “His whole life revolves around being a jockey. He goes to bed early. He works out. And on his days off, he thinks about what it takes to get better.”

Talamo has entrenched himself in the top echelon of the Southern California jockey colony, the result of his strong work ethic. The son of a longtime trainer and assistant trainer in Louisiana, Talamo started cleaning stalls and walking horses at 7.

After becoming the first apprentice to lead Fair Grounds with 118 wins, Talamo moved west at the encouragement of trainer Bobby Frankel in 2007. He was named outstanding apprentice jockey in 2007 and has continued to impress horsemen with his polish and savvy.

Since his win on California Flag in 2009, Talamo has finished third in four Breeders' Cup races. He has been the regular rider for horses such as Nashoba's Key, Sidney's Candy, Include Me Out, Obviously, Iotapa and Appealing Tale.

In 2016, he won the Santa Anita Handicap and the Gold Cup at Santa Anita, both Grade 1s, with Melatonin and added a Grade 1 win on Abel Tasman. He won another Grade 1 in 2018 with Vale Dori.