During his career, Valenzuela has dealt with a drug abuse problem that many observers believe prevented his natural talents from making him one of the greatest of jockeys in racing.
Problems emerged again in January 2004 that resulted in suspension but he came back to win top jockey honors during the 2004-2005 racing season at Santa Anita Park.
In 2005, he rode Wild Desert to victory for trainer Robert Frankel in the Queen's Plate, Canada's most important horse race.
[1] Tom Knust, Patrick's agent, has insisted that he has been clean since May 2008, which was confirmed by Louisiana stewards as Valenzuela never failed a random drug test there.
[2] After passing a drug test to prove that his recent absence was not a slip back into his old lifestyle, on December 9, 2011, 49-year-old Champion Thoroughbred Jockey, Patrick Valenzuela, announced his retirement after a 33-year-long career.
He cited his recent emergency gal bladder surgery, weight maintenance issues and knee injuries as reasons for his retirement.