David Romero Flores

Birthdate: February 5, 1968

Birthplace: Tijuana, Mexico

Residence: Beverly Hills, Calif.

Family: wife, Dawn; daughters, Cinthya, Natalya, Priscilla and Tayler.

Flores’ father was a jockey in Tijuana and later an exercise rider in Southern California.  Inspired by his dad, Flores began riding match races in Tijuana at age 8. He won his first race on March 3, 1984, aboard Swift Doc at Agua Caliente, where he set an apprentice record that year with 61 wins. Flores has been riding in Southern California since 1989.

He recorded his 3,000^th career win on May 20, 2007, aboard Time to Get Even in the Lazaro S. Barrera Memorial Stakes at Hollywood Park, the site of many of his career milestones. Flores won his first Grade 1 race aboard Marquetry in the 1991 Hollywood Gold Cup and later won the 1996 edition with Siphon and more recently in 2010 with the durable gelding Awesome Gem.

Flores won four of the five Grade 1 races at the 1999 Del Mar meet on his way to the riding title, including the Pacific Classic with General Challenge. Flores also has won six riding titles at Fairplex Park and was the leading rider at the 1998-99 Santa Anita winter-spring meet.

Working in league with his friend Jim Loya, Flores hosts a popular golf tournament each summer during the Del Mar race meet, this summer benefiting the children of backstretch workers.