James Graham

Birthdate: May 17, 1979

Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland

Residence(s): Arlington Heights, Illinois and New Orleans

Family: wife, Lisa; daughter, Hannah; son Christopher

Growing up in Ireland with six siblings, Graham said he was not a good student so he followed a teacher’s advice and enrolled in a school for jockeys. Upon completing the course, he furthered his education by going to work for a trainer and in addition to riding, he enhanced his horsemanship skills by cleaning stalls and grooming horses.

With limited opportunities in his native country, he relocated to Lexington, Ky. in 2002 and quickly gained a reputation as a hard-working exercise rider at Keeneland Race Course. The next year, he obtained his jockey’s license. He earned his first win on July 1, 2003, at River Downs in Cincinnati, Ohio and soon became a sought-after rising star at Fair Grounds in New Orleans that winter and then Arlington Park in Chicago during summer 2004.

Two decades into his career, Graham consistently ranks among the nation’s top jockeys while still concentrating his efforts at Fair Grounds, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park (where was leading rider by wins in 2019) and Keeneland. He is recognized by his peers as a determined yet humble competitor.

Graham earned career win 3,000 on Dec. 3, 2023, at Fair Grounds.