Professional Career
After graduating high school in 1986, Carter moved to Sallisaw, Oklahoma to become a full-time jockey at Blue Ribbon Downs. He continued to ride primarily in the central part of the United States until the early 1990s when he moved his tack to Los Alamitos Race Course in Southern California. After a couple of successful years in California, Carter moved his home base back to Oklahoma.
Carter has won the All American Futurity twice. The All American Futurity is Quarter Horse racing's equivalent of the Kentucky Derby which is for Thoroughbred race horses. He won the All American Futurity in 1998 aboard FALLING IN LOVEAGAIN and again in 2008 aboard STOLIS WINNER.
In 2008, Carter set a new AQHA single-season earnings record by reaching the $5,027,173 mark in mount earnings. This eclipsed the previous record of $4.5 million which he had set. Also in 2008, Carter broke his own single-meet record for wins at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with a total of 98.
Adding to an incredible 2008, he rode Fast Prize Zoom to a World Record for 300 yards. The record was established at Sunland Park in Sunland, New Mexico with a final time of 14.87 seconds.
Carter also jockeys American Paint Horses on the racetrack. He hase been named American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Champion Jockey eight times in his career. He has won numerous stakes and championships piloting Paint Horses as well. He was the jockey for the record-setting paint horse Got Country Grip, who tied a North American racing record for any breed in 2008 by winning 16 consecutive races. Racing statistics for Paint Horse races are not included in AQHA statistics.
May 31, 2009 was declared by Governor Brad Henry as G. R. Carter Day in Oklahoma.
Carter is known throughout the racing world for his "back-flip" dismounts. After winning a stakes race, he often uses his gymnastics background to celebrate by performing a back-flip off of the horse from the saddle.
Carter is currently the Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors of the Jockey's Guild which represents the interests of jockeys around the country.
He has been represented by jockey agent Donnie Stewart since December 2002.
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