Page 83 - October 2016

A JOCKEY’S VIEW Berkley Packer
by John Moorehouse
“The harder you work, the better chance you’re going to have. Laziness doesn’t cut it in this business, unless you’re just lucky.”
When chronicling the career of longtime jockey Berkley Packer, that old country song, “I’ve Been Everywhere” would be an appropriate soundtrack.
Although he currently races in the Midwest at tracks in Indiana, Oklahoma and Iowa, his travels as a jockey have taken him all across North America. States where he’s competed—in addition to the previously mentioned trio—include Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Nevada, Utah, California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Minnesota. Packer has also raced at stops throughout Canada.
Through the end of September, Packer had made 262 starts this year and ranked among AQHA’s top 25 by races won ranking 21st with 48 wins, and as a leading jockey by money earned ranking 29th with $784,206.
The 28-year racing veteran and Wapanuka, Oklahoma native recently visited with Speedhorse to share his memories of being in the saddle.
HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO QUARTER HORSE RACING?
My dad and my grandfather ran trail horses for years. They ran a lot of trail horses. Growing up, that’s how I got into it. My grandpa ran Thoroughbreds and my dad had Quarter Horses that they ran, too. I just kind of transitioned over into that.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE BREAKING INTO RACING WHILE WORKING WITH FAMILY?
It was more of a family thing. The pressure just wasn’t there. My little brother rodeoed, too, for a little while. My older brother, he’s not into horses. At first, it was just me and my dad.
WAS THERE A JOCKEY WHO YOU HAD AS A ROLE MODEL AS YOU WERE STARTING OUT IN THE SPORT?
Steve Treasure. I grew up idolizing him because he was from pretty much the same place I am. G.R. Carter, too. He’s not much older than me, but he was the one I looked up to. He always came in, back when I was riding in Boise, and he rode a lot of the Challenge horses when I started them.
YOU’VE RACED AT SO MANY TRACKS IN SO MANY STATES. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE?
Remington Park’s probably my favorite. It’s just good to ride on. It’s wide. It’s my favorite, probably because it’s the most fun place I’ve been.
W W H H A AT T ’ ’ S S B B E E E E N N Y YO OU U R R MOST MEMORABLE
M M O O M M E E N N T T A A S S A A J J O O C C K K E E Y Y, , AND WHY?
I always wanted to win the whole Jockey Challenge deal and I finally got that done in 2009. G.R. was the one getting it—he beat me two or three years in a row, just by a couple points. I was bound and determined to beat him, and I finally did. Then, winning the 2010 Dash For Cash Derby by a thousandth of a second. It was pretty wild. It doesn’t get any closer than that.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RIDING STYLE?
It probably varies depending on the horse. I like a horse that runs into the bit. Those are the ones I like the best.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING JOCKEYS?
Hard work is the main thing. I’ve worked my butt off my whole life to get where I was and to go where I’ve been. A lot of the newer ones don’t have to work near as hard. The harder you work, the better chance you’re going to have. Laziness doesn’t cut it in this business, unless you’re just lucky.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
The adrenaline rush, it’s all there. I love the horses. I like the speed.
WHAT JOB WOULD YOU HAVE IF YOU HADN’T BECOME A JOCKEY?
I probably would have gone to be a wrestling coach or gone into welding.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY AWAY FROM THE TRACK?
Hunting and water skiing.
Berkley Packer won the 2010 Dash For Cash Derby-G2 at Lone Star Park aboard Fishin CR
SPEEDHORSE, October 2016 81
THE BACKSIDE
Jimmy Hart Photography
Lone Star Park