Danny Cardoza, a legendary jockey, trainer and member of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, passed away on April 6, 2026, at the age of 77.
Born October 15, 1949, Cardoza grew up in Hanford, California, and began race riding as a teenager. His career began before AQHA started keeping complete jockey records, but between 1970 and his retirement in 1991, he won more than 3,000 races and rode earners of more than $22 million.
He was the first person to ever work legendary stallion First Down Dash away from the gates, and some of his biggest wins in his legendary career were the All American Futurity with Pie In The Sky, and multiple editions of the Champion of Champions with Dashs Dream and Gold Coast Express.
After retiring from race riding, Cardoza made the very rare switch from top rider to top trainer. As a trainer he saddled 690 starters who earned more than $4.3 million. He trained million-dollar race winners Dashing Knud and Your First Moon, as well as top horses including Old Habits, Hateful Hanna, Natovas Princess, Dash To Chivato, Meter Me Gone and Dinastia Toll BRZ, the dam of champion and sire FDD Dynasty.
Cardoza was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2002.
He learned to rope as a child even before he learned to race ride, and in addition to his professional career, in his free time Cardoza was always a talented team roper and loved to compete on second-career racehorses.
Cardoza is survived by his wife, Debbie, and children Tiffany Bohland, Shane Cardoza and Kaelie Cardoza, as well as grandchildren, additional family and countless friends.
