Brian was born to Kay and Dale Long on October 5, 1962. He was destined to be a great rider

since he had many outstanding role models in his life. His father was a jockey as well as his maternal

grandfather Ralph Banks, a jockey and trainer. His uncle, Darrell Banks, was a jockey before retiring

to be a trainer. One of Brian's favorite mentors was his uncle, Ronnie Banks. After retiring from riding,

Ronnie went on to be a Jockeys' Guild representative for many years. His Uncle Ronnie was known to

have said that Brian was the most talented rider he had ever seen; that it was a gift.

His mother married Morris Webb, who was very influential in Brian's life. Brian is survived by his

mother, Kay Webb, who is the Simulcast Director for Bay Meadows, Hollywood Park, and the Northern

California Racing Fairs, his sister Daron Long, who is a successful race rider, and his three children,

aunts, uncles and cousins.

Brian rode his first race at Golden Gate Fields in his home state of California. At 16 years of age,

he was the leading bug boy at Arlington Park while earning the title of leading rider at Balmoral at the

same time. He would ride at one track in the afternoon and the other in the evenings.

He found this success again in 2007 as he dominated the jockey rankings at Les Bois Park earning leading rider award for the season and

winning four Idaho Cup races in one day. He also won his 1000th race while riding this past summer and was

featured on the front page of The Racing Journal for this achievement. He traveled to Elko, Nevada and Burns,

Oregon and came home with the leading rider title at both of these meets. Most recently, he rode at Zia Park and

Sunland Park. Over the years, Brian rode at race tracks across the country and Canada.

Even when Brian was on top, he continually wanted to improve his riding and could be found reviewing

tapes of his races on a daily basis. All who knew Brian will miss this determined spirit and his commitment to

racing. He will also be remembered for his quick wit, his giving attitude, his eternal requests for new 'bits' to be

added to trainer's tack, his self-proclaimed ADD moments, and his gift of being one of the most talented riders

to hit the Idaho circuit.

Try the Seventh

Horse in the Seventh

Race

Brian Long will be the seventh jockey in the seventh race today

at Les Bois Park at Chinden Boulevard and North Glenwood Street.

Lucky?

"Bet on me, Period," said Long, 44, a third-generation jockey riding

since 1978.

But betting on his horse - Beaucardi - has less to do with the

number and the day and more about his philosophy as a jockey.

"I'm getting on the best horses. Some jockeys make some horses

run faster than others. Some other jockeys who don't ride as well

have a fast horse and win," he said. "The best jockey is the one who

stays out of the horse's way. You don't break their momentum."

Long used to be superstitious before every race.

"Left boot first instead of right. I had to put my left boot on first," he said.

How did he go from superstitious to practical?

"I got sober," he said. "I pray. God. You know, he's what it's all about."

Remembering Brian….

When my thoughts go to Brian, I can only see him as a child. He was the cutest, happiest

little boy that laughed all the time. He was alive with life. His feelings were right on his sleeve….

happy, sad, mad, but usually laughing.

Brian was about 5 years old when he got his new pair of red cowboy boots. He loved his red

cowboy boots. It didn't matter if he was wearing pants, shorts, pajamas or swim trunks, he wore

his red boots. He wore his boots so much that he rubbed blisters on the inside of both his calves. His Dad decided he needed to medicate

them, so he pulled out the iodine and swiped one of his calves. Brian began screaming, jumping and crying because his calf hurt so badly. His

Dad said…"Does it hurt really bad?" Brian said, "Yes!" Before Brian could catch a breath, his Dad swiped the other calf. Brian began to grab

the other calf, jumping and screaming. He jumped around so much that everyone started laughing watching him grab one calf, then the other.

Before long, Brian was crying and laughing right along with us. Then, they slapped a couple band aids on both his legs…..so he could put on his

favorite red boots.

It was destine that Brian be a rider. We would put Brian on

"Pitch", the family lab, throw the ball, so Brian could get a "seat". In the evenings

after bath time, Brian would be outfitted in his pajamas with his dad's helmet,

goggles and whip watching TV and "riding" the arm of the sofa.

For the rest of my life, I will remember Brian trying to catch up with Grandpa

McCoy to go to Frosty Freeze….. hobbling while trying to put his red boots on,

running and yelling "Wait for me, Grandpa!" As if Grandpa would ever go to Frosty

Freeze without him. I just bet Brian and Grandpa are waiting for us now….and

laughing.