Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey

Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey The Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey is the premier annual honor recognizing achievement among professional Thoroughbred flat race riders in the United States. Presented by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, the award highlights riding excellence and career-defining performances across graded stakes such as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Breeders' Cup Classic and Travers Stakes.

History

Created in 1971 as part of the broader Eclipse Awards program, the honor emerged amid decades of high-profile jockey competition that included figures from the mid-20th century such as Edgar Prado, Angel Cordero Jr., Bill Shoemaker and Eddie Arcaro. The award was instituted by organizations including the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Daily Racing Form to consolidate regional honors like those bestowed at Belmont Park and Churchill Downs into a national recognition parallel to awards in horse categories like Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male Horse. Over the decades, winners have included international stars who rode in marquee events such as the Breeders' Cup and the Travers Stakes, joining names associated with iconic trainers like Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, D. Wayne Lukas and Bill Mott.

Criteria and Selection Process

Voters comprise representatives from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, who evaluate riders on statistics such as win totals, earnings, graded stakes victories and performance in the Triple Crown series and the Breeders' Cup. The selection process emphasizes results in major race meetings at venues including Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park, Santa Anita Park and Keeneland, as well as international performances at tracks like Ascot and Longchamp when applicable. Metrics considered include mounts on horses campaigned by trainers such as Todd Pletcher, Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas, Shug McGaughey and John Gosden, and partnerships with owners including Calumet Farm, Godolphin and WinStar Farm. Voter deliberations often weigh signature wins in races like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Breeders' Cup Classic and the Metropolitan Handicap.

Notable Winners and Records

Prominent multiple-time winners include Laffit Pincay Jr., Jerry Bailey, Mike Smith and John Velazquez, each associated with landmark victories in events such as the Travers Stakes, Breeders' Cup Classic and Kentucky Oaks. Bill Shoemaker and Eddie Arcaro—legends of mid-century American racing—set historical benchmarks later matched by modern riders like Pat Day and Gary Stevens. Records tracked alongside the award include seasonal earnings leaders like Jorge Velásquez and total wins leaders such as Robby Albarado in certain campaigns, while international crossover winners have included riders with appearances in Royal Ascot and the Dubai World Cup series. The award has honored jockeys who piloted champions like Secretariat, Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Zenyatta and American Pharoah in defining races, and it has acknowledged trailblazers who advanced safety initiatives alongside organizations such as the Jockeys' Guild.

Impact on Horse Racing and Jockey Careers

Receiving the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey often elevates a rider's marketability to major owners and trainers like Godolphin, Stonestreet Stables, WinStar Farm and Calumet Farm, leading to higher-profile mounts in races such as the Breeders' Cup and the Triple Crown series. The accolade reinforces reputations established at circuits including Saratoga Race Course, Churchill Downs, Belmont Park and Santa Anita Park, and can influence Hall of Fame consideration at institutions like the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Past winners have parlayed the award into roles as television commentators for networks covering events at NBC Sports, ESPN and Fox Sports, and into training or ownership positions within partnerships like Team Valor and Claiborne Farm. The recognition also interacts with industry policy through entities such as the Jockeys' Guild and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association on issues of safety, weight management and medication standards.

List of Winners by Year

1971 — Braulio Baeza 1972 — Ron Turcotte 1973 — Bill Shoemaker 1974 — Bill Shoemaker 1975 — Ángel Cordero Jr. 1976 — Ángel Cordero Jr. 1977 — Steve Cauthen 1978 — Steve Cauthen 1979 — Laffit Pincay Jr. 1980 — Laffit Pincay Jr. 1981 — Laffit Pincay Jr. 1982 — Laffit Pincay Jr. 1983 — Laffit Pincay Jr. 1984 — Pat Day 1985 — Pat Day 1986 — Pat Day 1987 — Chris McCarron 1988 — Pat Day 1989 — Pat Day 1990 — Jerry Bailey 1991 — Jerry Bailey 1992 — Jerry Bailey 1993 — Jerry Bailey 1994 — Jerry Bailey 1995 — Jerry Bailey 1996 — Jerry Bailey 1997 — Jerry Bailey 1998 — Jerry Bailey 1999 — Jerry Bailey 2000 — Jerry Bailey 2001 — Jerry Bailey 2002 — John Velazquez 2003 — John Velazquez 2004 — John Velazquez 2005 — John Velazquez 2006 — John Velazquez 2007 — John Velazquez 2008 — John Velazquez 2009 — Mike Smith 2010 — Mike Smith 2011 — Mike Smith 2012 — Joel Rosario 2013 — John Velazquez 2014 — Calvin Borel 2015 — Irad Ortiz Jr. 2016 — Irad Ortiz Jr. 2017 — Jose Ortiz 2018 — Joel Rosario 2019 — Jose Ortiz 2020 — Javier Castellano 2021 — Irad Ortiz Jr. 2022 — Irad Ortiz Jr. 2023 — Irad Ortiz Jr.

Category:Horse racing awards