Multiple Eclipse Award-winning jockey Garrett Gomez has confirmed his retirement after a long battle with substance abuse.

Gomez had his last race ride on October 5 in 2013 after struggling with the substance-abuse issues that had plagued him during his career.

In the summer of 2013 he participated in counselling before he was permitted to resume riding at Del Mar but was suspended by stewards after calling off his mounts at Santa Anita on October 10 and did not ride again..

The 43-year-old made his retirement official on Facebook on June 8.

"I'd like everyone to know I'm officially retired from the sport of horse racing," Gomez wrote. "I thank everyone for all I achieved that had a part in my career. I had a lot of awesome moments in this game."

"I enjoyed every horse I ever rode and I thank all of them for making my career.

"I'd like to apologize to all my fans for leaving the sport the way I did. Sometimes you have to do things in life for yourself."

Gomez won 13 Breeders' Cup races including the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic aboard Blame defeating Horse of the Year Zenyatta.

His career included breaking Jerry Baily's record for most stakes victories in a season (76 in 2007), and four years as the nation's top jockey by earnings.

He won the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in 2007 and 2008, and received the 2011 George Woolf Memorial Award voted for by his peers.

Gomez began riding in 1988 and retires with 3769 wins from 21,639 starts, with 3329 seconds and 3,015 thirds. His mounts earned $205,224,899.