LARRY PAYNE
Jockey Larry Payne has spent nearly all his life in the saddle, learning to ride at the young age of eight when he would help break babies for his father, trainer Jerry Payne. Larry received his jockey’s license at age 16 and put together an outstanding career. Larry said, “I knew at a very young age that was something I really enjoyed, and I still enjoy it."
Payne won the first of three leading rider titles at Remington Park in 1991, in 1993, and in 2003. He won the $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity in 2011 aboard High Rate Of Return; the Remington Park Futurity numerous times with Send Me The Candy (1996), Outdashing (2002), Redman Running (2003) and Regard With Respect (2015); and he also won the $525,000 Oklahoma Futurity in 2017 on Ima China Rush, the richest edition of this historic race and the oldest futurity in the sport of Quarter Horse racing. Perhaps his biggest day of racing took place in 2003, when he won six stakes victories in a single card, including the Remington Park Futurity and the Remington Park Derby.
Larry Payne kept his family close while enjoying a long riding career. His wife Marilyn served as his agent since 1986. The family also operates a ranch and raises alfalfa. Away from racing, Payne enjoys the great outdoors and is an avid fisherman. He said, “I am blessed. I raised my family and got the kids through school, and now I’m working on my grandkids. I have been truly, truly blessed. I give the Lord all the glory."
Larry Payne is the Quarter Horse rider of 2499 first place finishes with $30,276,326 in earnings; he is the Thoroughbred rider of 569 first place horses with $3,394,561 in earnings; and he is the mixed breed rider of 302 firsts with $3,084,169 in earnings; for a total of $36,755,056. Larry’s top Quarter Horse is The Marfa Lights with $566,493 banked, as well as Grade 2 winner Regard With Respect ($501,055) and Grade 1 winning High Rate Of Return ($456,010).
Larry retired from racing in June of 2018, winning a race aboard 4-time Champion Heartswideopen.