A number of the winningest jockeys in Breeders’ Cup historical past are nonetheless lively, and most of the main contenders can be driving on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in Del Mar on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
You would do loads worse than selecting a candidate horse ridden by the jockey who has had essentially the most Breeders’ Cup success in his profession up to now. Additionally, selecting horses ridden by essentially the most achieved and achieved Breeders’ Cup jockeys generally is a reputable tiebreaker between candidates and make the distinction in handicap.
Based mostly on previous outcomes, a number of the greatest bets within the Breeders’ Cup could also be on horses ridden by jockeys Mike Smith, John Velasquez, Irad Ortiz Jr., Joel Rosario, Frankie Dettori and William Buick. Who’s the perfect jockey within the Breeders’ Cup? Which jockeys are underperforming? Learn on for an outline of how a number of the world’s most well-known jockeys have carried out throughout their careers on the game’s largest levels.
Finest Breeders’ Cup Jockey – The Cream of the Crop
At the moment, the jockeys quickest climbing up the Breeders’ Cup wins leaderboard are: Airado Ortiz Jr.received his first Breeders’ Cup in 2014 and already has 20 Breeders’ Cup wins, 17 of which have come within the final seven years. Irad has already moved into fourth place on the Breeders’ Cup jockey’s all-time cash listing with $28,950,345. Irad was undefeated in 11 mounts within the 2024 Breeders’ Cup, however given his many latest Breeders’ Cup successes, together with 3 wins in 13 mounts within the 2023 Breeders’ Cup held at Santa Anita Park, we sit up for his comeback this yr. Irad additionally received three races in 13 mounts on the 2022 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland. He had three wins in 11 mounts within the 2021 Breeders’ Cup, two wins in 2020 and 4 wins in 2019. Irad has a complete report of 111 wins and 20 losses, giving him a formidable total successful proportion of 18%.
European-based jockeys have competed within the final three Breeders’ Cups in 2022, 2023 and 2024. At Del Mar final yr, Europeans received 5 of the 14 Breeders’ Cup races, together with two Breeders’ Cup wins. ryan mooreHe is without doubt one of the winningest jockeys in Breeders’ Cup historical past, with 16 wins (15.4%) in 104 profession mounts. Moore broke his leg this summer season and is predicted to overlook the 2025 Breeders’ Cup. Preserve a watch out for the jockey who can be driving instead of Aidan O’Brien/Coolmore jockey Moore in numerous turf races this yr.
One other notable European rider competing within the Breeders’ Cup is william buick His lifetime win charge is 23.1%. Buick is ridden by Godolphin and Europe-based coach Charlie Appleby and has received 9 of his 39 Breeders’ Cup races. These embody a 2024 victory within the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf aboard Rebels Romance, a 2023 victory within the FanDuel Mile aboard Grasp of the Seas, and a 2022 victory within the Juvenile Turf Dash and Mile. Add these to Buick’s three wins in 2021, and you will find the Buick and Appleby jockey/coach duo exhausting to disregard.
The highest former European resident riders in Breeders’ Cup historical past are: frankie dettoripresently based mostly at United Stakes. Dettori has received 15 races in 129 Breeders’ Cup rides, beginning together with his first successful experience in 1990 and successful in 1994. Dettori ranks fifth on the listing of all-time Breeders’ Cup jockeys with $27,741,862 in prize cash. His solely latest win (since 2018) got here within the 2023 filly Turf aboard Inspiral, however he might win extra stay mounts this yr with out Moore.
Which jockey had the largest impression on final yr’s 2024 Breeders’ Cup? Flavien Pratreceived the Longines Basic in Sierra Leone, received the Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf at Moira and was runner-up with Raging Sea at Distaff. Pratt has received two of the final three Classics after successful in 2022 piloting the Famous person Flightline. Pratt additionally received the Juvenile Fillies Turf in 2023 driving Laborious to Justify. Pratt has received a complete of 5 Breeders’ Cups over the previous three years, which represents nice progress for him. His total Breeders’ Cup report remains to be not nice, with 7 wins in 96 profession mounts and a win charge of seven.3%, however his win charge is bettering yr by yr.
Two years in the past, on the 2023 Breeders’ Cup, one of many large winners was Junior Alvaradoscored two factors for coach Invoice Mott on Cody’s Want within the Large Ass Enjoyable’s Grime Mile and two factors on Simply FYI within the NetJets Juvenile Fillies. Alvarado’s first profession Breeders’ Cup victory got here most just lately in 2022, additionally aboard Cody’s Want. Alvarado’s total Breeders’ Cup report is 3 wins from 22 mounts. He has a very good probability of including to his win whole this yr, particularly driving Sovereignty within the Basic.
The rider with essentially the most wins in Breeders’ Cup historical past is mike smith Jockey Smith received the 2021 Juvenile driving on Cornish since 2017, and though he does not experience many horses anymore, he plans to line up for stay driving on the West Coast connection in 2025.
One other veteran jockey who might have a huge impact on the 2025 Breeders’ Cup is John Velasquezhas received 21 Breeders’ Cup races since successful his first race at Dajoz within the 1998 Mile. Velazquez’s latest successes embody successful the Cygames Dash in 2024 driving Straight No Chaser and successful the Juvenile in 2023 driving Fierceness. He additionally rode the runner-up to Fierceness within the 2024 Basic and could have the prospect to experience Fierceness within the 2025 Basic. There might not but be a greater rider to experience a Breeders’ Cup contender, and you might do loads worse than placing Johnny V on a Breeders’ Cup contender in any race. He ranks first in all-time Breeders’ Cup winnings with $39,330,275, and his 21 wins are second solely to Smith.
Joel Rosario He’s additionally a veteran jockey who has had an impression on the Breeders’ Cup over time. He has 16 profession wins, together with final yr’s Grime Mile victory aboard Furserrano. Rosario’s profession purse totaled $29,892,535, rating him third all-time. Rosario received not less than one Breeders’ Cup race yearly from 2014 to 2021.
Florent Geroux Additionally worthy of a Breeders’ Cup honorable point out. Geroux has a report of eight Breeders’ Cup wins in simply 43 mounts and ranks among the many lively leaders when it comes to successful proportion (18.6%). Geroux’s most up-to-date win was on the 2023 Distaff aboard Idiomatic.
Jockey underperforming within the Breeders’ Cup
Not the entire most well-known jockeys have had a lot success within the Breeders’ Cup. It makes you recognize the accomplishments of jockeys like Smith, Velasquez, Rosario, Irad Ortiz, and different prime jockeys much more. Successful Breeders’ Cup races frequently just isn’t simple.
Maybe essentially the most stunning names on the listing of underperforming Breeders’ Cup jockeys are: Jose Ortizis usually talked about in conversations about North America’s greatest jockeys. Nevertheless, to this point he has not had widespread success within the Breeders’ Cup. Jose Ortiz went 9-0 within the Breeders’ Cup in 2022, 5-0 in 2023, and eventually returned to the win column as soon as once more driving Extra Than Appears within the Mile in 2024. The victory was solely his sixth profession Breeders’ Cup win from 88 mounts, for a lifetime successful proportion of simply 6.8%.
One other jockey who could be anticipated to do higher within the Breeders’ Cup is Tyler Gaffalionehas received jockey titles throughout Kentucky, however has not but had a lot success within the Breeders’ Cup. Gaffalione’s exception was in 2022, when he received the Turf Dash aboard Caravelle and the Juvenile Fillies aboard Marvel Wheel. Nevertheless, these two horses are his solely Breeders’ Cup wins, and his profession report presently stands at simply 2 wins out of 63 races (3.2%).
Lastly, essentially the most distinguished members of this high-profile listing of each day prime jockeys who’ve but to seek out constant success within the Breeders’ Cup are: Luis SaezThough he has received driving titles at Saratoga, Keeneland and Gulfstream Park, he has just one profession Breeders’ Cup victory to this point in 68 mounts (15-0 whole from 2023-24). Saez’s solely win got here in 2020 driving junior Important High quality.
Will 2024 be the yr of Breeders’ Cup breakthroughs for jockeys like Saez, Gaffalione and Jose Ortiz, or will the historic Breeders’ Cup leaders like Irad Ortiz Jr., Mike Smith, John Velasquez and Frankie Dettori proceed to dominate the Winner’s Circle? Who would be the jockey to shine within the 2025 Breeders’ Cup? Obtainable to look at from October thirty first to November 1 Discover out.
