Simply as any NFL staff wants a dependable quarterback if it needs to win a Tremendous Bowl, so too do the connections of the most effective racehorses in coaching want the companies of a top-notch jockey in the event that they’re aiming to win a race just like the Longines Breeders’ Cup Basic.
Because it’s the richest race in North America and the last word prize on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships this Friday and Saturday at Del Mar, successful the Basic is the last word aim for any rider.
Let’s check out which jockeys have made it to the massive dance for the 2024 Longines Basic on Nov. 2.
Junior Alvarado
Age: 38
Initially from: Venezuela
Breeders’ Cup victories: 3
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: Second in 2022 (Olympiad)
His 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Arthur’s Journey
It took Junior Alvarado 16 years to seize his first Breeders’ Cup win. Now, he’s received three victories within the final two years on the World Championships. A local of Venezuela and the son of a jockey, Alvarado determined to comply with the identical path as his dad. He started driving in 2005 and moved to the U.S. in 2007. He began his skilled profession in Florida and Chicago earlier than turning into a mainstay in New York’s aggressive racing circuit. Alvarado might be finest identified for driving Cody’s Want, the horse who gave the jockey his first Breeders’ Cup win within the Huge Ass Followers Filth Mile in 2022. Cody’s Want received the Filth Mile once more in 2023 and was voted Horse of the Yr. In Saturday’s BC Basic, Alvarado has a respectable shot aboard the speedy Arthur’s Journey. The 2 paired as much as win the Whitney Stakes in August by attending to the lead early and staying there. You might count on Arthur’s Journey to be on the entrance proper from the beginning once more within the Basic.
Frankie Dettori
Age: 53
Initially from: Italy
Breeders’ Cup victories: 15
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: Gained in 2008 (Raven’s Go)
2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Newgate
Think about Tom Brady or Lebron James with a signature celebratory leap – that’s Frankie Dettori. Extensively thought of one of many biggest worldwide riders of all time, Dettori is probably finest identified to followers for his patented winner’s circle “flying dismount,” which has seen him soar off the backs of many a champion racehorse. Simply when it appeared Dettori’s profession was winding down a couple of years in the past, he determined to relocate to the U.S. and make one final push. Since making the transfer, he’s received greater than a dozen graded stakes races and captured his 15th profession Breeders’ Cup win final yr aboard Inspiral within the Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf. Dettori additionally holds the excellence of driving the final internationally-based horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Basic – Raven’s Go in 2008. This yr, Dettori will probably be aboard locally-based Newgate who not too long ago completed a detailed third within the California Crown Stakes Introduced by SirDavis American Whisky.
Kyle Frey
Age: 32
Initially from: California
Breeders’ Cup victories: 0
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: n/a
His 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Mixto
Whereas most of this Basic subject is loaded with internationally-renowned and even legendary riders, there are a couple of jockeys within the race who’ve emerged simply this yr. Kyle Frey is probably essentially the most unimaginable story of all. He’s 32 years previous and his profession began with a bang when he received horse racing’s equal of the Rookie of the Yr for jockeys (Eclipse Award as the highest apprentice rider) in 2011. However within the years since, Frey has been open about private struggles with alcohol and psychological well being challenges. Over the previous yr, every part has come collectively for Frey and he’s now on one of many hottest streaks since he started driving. For perspective, he’s received 10 graded stakes races in his profession – and 6 of them have come within the final 10 months. Essentially the most high-profile victory in that span was a 22.20-to-1 longshot win within the FanDuel Racing Pacific Basic Stakes aboard Mixto, the horse Frey will experience within the Breeders’ Cup Basic on Saturday.
Florent Geroux
Age: 38
Initially from: France
Breeders’ Cup victories: 8
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: Gained in 2017 (Gun Runner)
His 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Highland Falls
A winner of greater than 2,200 profession races, Florent Geroux picked up his eighth win on the World Championships final yr when he piloted Idiomatic to victory within the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Idiomatic is simply the latest of celebrity horses that Geroux has ridden for coach Brad Cox. The 2 teamed as much as win the Distaff two instances beforehand with Monomoy Lady (2018 and 2020). Geroux’s high Breeders’ Cup spotlight got here in 2017 when he received the Basic aboard Gun Runner which occurred in the course of the first Breeders’ Cup held at Del Mar. This yr, Geroux returns to the scene of that triumph and finds himself on an up-and-coming star for Cox named Highland Falls. The horse, who has completed within the high three in eight of his 9 profession races, not too long ago blew away his competitors within the Jockey Membership Gold Cup Stakes. A repeat of that effort would put him in rivalry for a high spot in Saturday’s Basic.
Brian Hernandez Jr.
Age: 38 (He turns 39 the day after the Breeders’ Cup!)
Initially from: Louisiana
Breeders’ Cup victories: 1
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: Gained in 2012 (Fort Larned)
His 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Pyrenees
For the previous 12 years, Brian Hernandez Jr. was maybe finest identified for what was over that timespan the standout victory of his profession, his 2012 Breeders’ Cup Basic win aboard Fort Larned. However then Hernandez went out and received the Longines Kentucky Oaks aboard filly sensation Thorpedo Anna and the Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve with longshot Mystik Dan on back-to-back days this previous Could. A particularly approachable persona across the observe, the Louisiana native earned the Eclipse Award as excellent apprentice jockey in 2004. In complete, he’s racked up greater than 2,600 profession wins and 86 graded stakes victories up to now. His Basic win in 2012 is extremely in his lone win from his 21 profession begins in Breeders’ Cup races. Hernandez rides Pyrenees within the Basic on Saturday, a horse who has completed first or second in every of his final six races.
Yuga Kawada
Age: 39
Initially from: Japan
Breeders’ Cup victories: 1
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: Fifth in 2023 (Ushba Tesoro)
His 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Ushba Tesoro
4 years in the past, followers of the Breeders’ Cup won’t have acknowledged the identify Yuga Kawada. Whereas he’d established fairly the résumé driving in Japan, Kawada hadn’t gotten many alternatives underneath the brilliant lights of the World Championships. However within the 2021 Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Kawada made historical past when he rode Loves Solely You to victory as she grew to become the primary Japan-based horse to win a Breeders’ Cup race. Kawada constructed upon that momentum as main rider in Japan in 2022. Final yr, he rode his Breeders’ Cup Basic hopeful Ushba Tesoro to victory within the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline. Kawada will get one other shot on the Basic with Ushba Tesoro after ending fifth within the race in 2023.
Christophe Lemaire
Age: 45
Initially from: France
Breeders’ Cup victories: 1
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: Second in 2023 (Derma Sotogake)
His 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Derma Sotogake
If you wish to see Christophe Lemaire experience within the U.S., you must anticipate the marquee racedays, and the Breeders’ Cup definitely qualifies. Born in France, Lemaire has traveled the world as one of many high worldwide riders for many years. He started his profession in Europe however has constructed out his résumé in recent times by way of domination in Japan, the place he’s been a power since 2015 and led the Japan Racing Affiliation standings by wins for 5 straight years from 2017 to 2021. Lemaire received the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf aboard Flotilla and completed second within the Breeders’ Cup Basic final yr with the identical horse he’ll be driving this yr, Derma Sotogake. Remarkably, Lemaire has ridden in seven Breeders’ Cup races and he’s completed within the high 4 in 5 of these races.
Luan Machado
Age: 30
Initially from: Brazil
Breeders’ Cup victories: 0
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: n/a
His 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Subsequent
One of many few contemporary faces within the Breeders’ Cup Basic this yr, Luan Machado has been on a little bit of a little bit of a rollercoaster experience in latest weeks. Experiencing what anybody would describe as a breakout yr in 2024, the native of Brazil went from close to obscurity within the U.S. to touchdown within the high 25 within the total jockey rankings. He’s received 4 graded stakes this yr and has already surpassed his win complete from 2023. However Machado made the error of misjudging the end line in a race at Keeneland in October, which value his horse a victory and led to important scorn from racing followers and bettors. How did Machado reply from his essential mistake? He received two graded stakes the next week. Machado will probably be driving fan favourite Subsequent within the Breeders’ Cup Basic, a horse who now faces stiffer competitors after successful his final seven races by greater than 91 lengths mixed.
Ryan Moore
Age: 41
Initially from: England
Breeders’ Cup victories: 14
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: Fifth in 2018 (Mendelssohn)
His 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Metropolis of Troy
Should you’re trying to wager on a jockey who has received among the greatest races throughout the globe, you’ve discovered him with Ryan Moore. Not solely has he scored 14 winners on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Moore has additionally received nearly each main worldwide race from the Melbourne Cup (Australia) to the Japan Cup to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (France) and Epsom Derby (England). It was within the U.Okay. that Moore honed his craft, incomes Champion Jockey honors in a number of years to associate with the title of Longines World’s Finest Jockey 4 instances (most not too long ago final yr). Within the Breeders’ Cup Basic this yr, Moore is slated to experience Irish sensation Metropolis of Troy. A winner of six of his seven profession races, Metropolis of Troy is transport to California within the hopes of turning into the primary European-based horse to seize the Basic in additional than 15 years.
Irad Ortiz Jr.
Age: 32
Initially from: Puerto Rico
Breeders’ Cup victories: 20
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: Gained in 2019 (Vino Rosso) and 2023 (White Abarrio)
His 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Tapit Trice
To maintain it easy, Irad Ortiz is the most effective rider in America. This yr will mark the eighth straight yr that he’ll lead the nation in wins and he’s more likely to earn his sixth Eclipse Award for Excellent Jockey. At simply 32 years previous, Ortiz simply surpassed the 4,000-win mark. He’s 20 years youthful than his childhood idol – Corridor of Famer John Velazquez – but Ortiz is now tied with Velazquez with 20 profession Breeders’ Cup victories. Ortiz has ridden in 100 Breeders’ Cup races, whereas Velazquez has had 220 mounts on the Breeders’ Cup. Moreover, Ortiz has an excellent likelihood to catch and surpass Mike Smith for the all-time Breeders’ Cup wins lead (27) within the subsequent few years. In 2019, Ortiz received his first Breeders’ Cup Basic aboard Vino Rosso. He added one other Basic win final yr on White Abarrio. Nonetheless, this yr, Ortiz should defy the percentages when he rides longshot Tapit Trice.
Flavien Prat
Age: 32
Initially from: France
Breeders’ Cup victories: 5
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: Gained in 2022 (Flightline)
His 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Sierra Leone
Few jockeys over the previous 5 years have been extra constant than Flavien Prat. In that point, he’s captured the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and three of his 5 Breeders’ Cup wins. Prat received the most important prize on the World Championships in 2022 aboard Flightline, a generational expertise who cruised to victory within the Basic. Whereas Flightline was anticipated to win, Prat has been identified to drag of upsets in large races, as he did within the 2019 Kentucky Derby aboard Nation Home at odds of 65.20-to-1. Final yr on the Breeders’ Cup, Prat guided Laborious to Justify to victory at odds of 9.10-to-1 within the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Prat and his Basic mount this yr, Sierra Leone, received’t be favorites, so maybe it’s the most effective time to make somewhat wager.
Ryusei Sakai
Age: 27
Initially from: Japan
Breeders’ Cup victories: 0
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: n/a
His 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Endlessly Younger
Early this yr, Ryusei Sakai happened as shut as a jockey presumably may to successful his first Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve – in his first look within the race. He misplaced by lower than a head whereas driving the then-undefeated Endlessly Younger. The horse took 5 months off earlier than returning final month to win the Japan Filth Basic with Sakai aboard. Now, they return to the U.S. as one of many high contenders within the Breeders’ Cup Basic. Initially from Tokyo, Sakai has already established himself on the worldwide racing scene. At 18, as an apprentice jockey, he traveled to South Australia and rode within the prestigious Caulfield Cup. In 2022, Sakai scored his first Group 1 win in Japan’s Shuka Sho Stakes on a horse named Beautiful Rose. Aboard Endlessly Younger, he’s additionally notched wins this yr within the UAE Derby in Dubai and the Saudi Derby.
John Velazquez
Age: 52
Initially from: Puerto Rico
Breeders’ Cup victories: 20
Finest end within the Breeders’ Cup Basic: Gained in 2020 (Genuine)
His 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic horse: Fierceness
John Velazquez reveals no indicators of slowing down. Now, 52, he’s nonetheless within the high 15 on the nationwide jockey leaderboard and he has greater than 6,650 profession wins. Velazquez ranks second all-time in Breeders’ Cup earnings and is tied for second in victories (each information are held by Mike Smith). Velazquez is in quest of one other win within the Basic this yr (he received the race for the primary time 4 years in the past) when he rides DraftKings Travers Stakes winner Fierceness. The colt is already in line to win honors as the highest 3-year-old within the nation and may transfer into rivalry for Horse of the Yr honors with a giant efficiency on Saturday.
