Larry Melancon

Larry J. Melancon (born August 7, 1955 in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana) is an American jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing who rides primarily on the Kentucky-Arkansas circuit.

Melancon (pronounced Ma-lawn-son) began racing horses at age nine at local bush tracks and at age sixteen obtained his jockeys license. He rode his first winner on September 28, 1971 at Jefferson Downs Race Track in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner, Louisiana. The following year he won one hundred and eighty two races, the most of any apprentice jockey in the United States.

During his long career, Larry Melancon has won numerous Graded stakes races and of his four appearances in the Kentucky Derby, his top result was a fourth in 1976 aboard Amano.