Julien Leparoux hits 3000 wins

Julien Leparoux reaches 3000 wins

Jockey Julien Leparoux celebrates at Woodbine two days after after winning his 3000th race aboard Pike Place at Churchill Downs.

Date: 12/01/2024

Jockey Julien Leparoux notched career win number 3,000 in the third race at Churchill Downs on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 28 aboard 9-2 fourth choice Pike Place for trainer Anthony Quartarolo and owner Roddy Valente in a $50,000 claimer for older horses going 1 mile on the muddy main track for a $75,000 purse. Unhurried early, he came out 6 wide and swept to the lead turning for home, drawing off to win by 4 3/4 lengths over 3-1 third choice Elusive Target ridden by Frankie Dettori. A head back in third was 14-1 longest shot Background, ridden by Keith Asmussen, son of trainer Steve.

Julien Leparoux in the winner’s circle after the hitting 3000 wins.

The 41-year-old native of Chantilly, France as the son of a former jockey and later assistant trainer, he began his racing career as an exercise rider for trainer Patrick Biancone in southern California in 2003. His first win was aboard Easter Guardian at Saratoga on August 15, 2005, in a 4 horse photo finish. His first graded stakes win came at Churchill Downs aboard Man of Illusion in the 2006 Aegon Turf Sprint (G3). He won 6 races on a 10 race card at Keeneland on April 20, 2012. He said, “I’m very thankful that my family could be here with me today for this. It took awhile to get it done but I’m very happy I was able to do it today. Churchill Downs and Kentucky have been such a big part of my career and it was great to do it at home.” On hand for the ceremony were his wife Shea (daughter of the late Mike Mitchell, a trainer in California) and sons Mitchell and Vinn.

Julien Leparoux wins the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Mile aboard Tepin

Leparoux’s illustrious career includes seven Breeders’ Cup victories, highlighted by triumphs aboard such notable champions as Tepin, Classic Empire and Forever Together. His international acclaim soared in 2016 when he guided Tepin to victory in the prestigious Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, which he called “a dream come true.”

His best horse to date is Tepin, winner of almost $3.6 million with Leparoux aboard, including the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Keeneland, then 2016 Woodbine Mile (G1), and the aforementioned Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. Next is Forever Together, winner of $2.6 million including the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) at Santa Anita and consecutive runnings of the Diana (G1) at Saratoga in 2008 and 2009. Close behind in third is Classic Empire, winner of $2.5 million including the 2016 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and the 2017 Arkansas Derby (G1).

Julien Leparoux aboard Turallure after winning the 2011 Woodbine Mile.

At time of writing (December 1, 2024) Leparoux has a record of 3,001 wins, 2,527 seconds, and 2,196 thirds in 17,635 rides, with purse earnings just short of $200 million. In stakes company he has 435 wins, 429 seconds, and 362 thirds in 3,126 starts, earning $102.4 million. Of those, 2,027 starts were in graded company, with 271 wins, 268 seconds, and 242 thirds, earning $82 million.

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