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Julien Leparoux
Jockey Bios

Julien Leparoux

Born: July 15, 1983, in Senlis, France

Record at Keeneland

Total Wins: 513
Stakes Wins: 66

Career Firsts

First Grade 1 Win: 2006 Beverly D at Arlington Park on Gorella (FR)
First Stakes Win: 2006 Likely Exchange at Turfway Park on Cat Quatorze
First Graded Stakes Win: 2006 Aegon Turf Sprint (G3) at Churchill Downs on Man of Illusion (AUS)
First Career Win: Aug. 18, 2005, at Saratoga on Easter Guardian

Starters in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes


Year

Horse

Finish

2019

Sir Winston

7th

2018

Kanthaka

6th

2017

Irap

Won

2016

My Man Sam

2nd

2015

Danzig Moon

2nd

2014

Vinceremos

14th

2013

Java’s War

 Won

2012

Ever So Lucky

10th

2011

Santiva

9th

2010

Pleasant Prince

7th

2009

Terrain

4th

2007

Time Squared

6th

2006

Sadler’s Trick

7th

At Keeneland


Second all time by stakes wins (66) and fourth by wins (513). Is Keeneland's leading active jockey.

Became the fourth rider in Keeneland history to win 500 races at the track on opening day of 2021 Spring Meet. His milestone win was aboard Gear Jockey in the fifth race. Other jockeys with 500 Keeneland wins are Pat Day (918), Don Brumfield (716) and Robby Albarado (526).

Leading rider 12 times: 2019, 2016 Fall, 2014 Spring, 2012 Spring and Fall, 2011 Spring and Fall, 2010 Fall, 2009 Spring, 2007 Spring and 2006 Spring (tie and as an apprentice) and Fall.

Won six races on the 10-race card on April 20, 2012, to equal Craig Perret and Randy Romero for most wins on a single card.

First Keeneland win came during the 2005 Fall Meet.

First Keeneland stakes win was the 2006 Lafayette on Likely.

Two wins in the Toyota Blue Grass: Java's War (2013) and Irap (2017).

Four wins in the First Lady (G1): Forever Together (2008), Never Retreat (2011), Better Lucky (2013), Tepin (2015).

Has additional Grade 1 wins in the Darley Alcibiades (Peace and War, 2014; Heavenly Love, 2017), the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (Classic Empire, 2016), the Coolmore Jenny Wiley (Centre Court, 2013; Tepin, 2016), the Juddmonte Spinster (Asi Siempre, 2006), the Maker's Mark Mile (Karelian, 2010; Heart to Heart, 2018) and the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (Kitten's Dumplings, 2013).

Career


Won 2009 Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey and 2006 Eclipse as outstanding apprentice. Is one of only four jockeys to receive an Eclipse as an apprentice and journeyman.

Breeders’ Cup wins (7): 2007 Juvenile Turf on Nownownow; 2008 Filly and Mare Turf on Forever Together; 2009 Dirt Mile on Furthest Land; 2009 Filly and Mare Sprint on Informed Decision; 2009 Juvenile Fillies on She Be Wild; 2015 Mile on Tepin; and 2016 Juvenile on Classic Empire. 

Rode champion Tepin to win the 2016 Queen Anne (G1) at the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting in England.

North American career earnings exceed $192 million with 2,956 wins through Nov. 28, 2023.

Click here for his Equibase career record.

 

 

Background


Julien’s father, Robert, was a jockey who later became a trainer. Julien grew up around racing in Chantilly, France, but his father stressed the importance of his education. He came to Southern California in early 2003 to work as an exercise rider for trainer Patrick Biancone, but his riding talents were readily apparent and he launched his career as a jockey in the summer of 2005.

Married Shea Mitchell, daughter of trainer Mike Mitchell, in December 2012. The couple has two sons.

Julien is a Vice Chairman of the Jockeys' Guild.