French Jockeys Riding in the U.S.
The names are familiar to horse racing fans worldwide: Jean Cruguet, Freddy Head, Jean Luc-Samyn and Olivier Peslier. Thoroughbred racing has always had its fair share of great French jockeys. In the United States, there are 4 jockeys who are French that currently ride. I might be missing a few. If I have, I apologize.
Why the reason for a blog on French jockeys riding in the United States? I started thinking about it after watching, Julien Leparoux's ride aboard Carina Mia in the Acorn Stakes. I realized that there were 4 jockeys that I always looked for in past performances. Leparoux was one of them. So was Florent Geroux and Flavien Prat. Although Brice Blanc doesn't show up in past performances as often as he used to, he's one of the reasons I fell in love with turf racing.
Julien Leparoux - Leparoux is probably the most successful French jockey to ever ride in the United States. He's won 6 Breeders Cup races including the BC Turf Mile in 2015 aboard Tepin. Leparoux also finished second aboard Macho Again in the 2008 Preakness Stakes. Since 2007 the only name that has appeared on the list of Eclipse Award winners for Outstanding Jockey that's not Garrett Gomez, Ramon Dominguez or Javier Castellano is Julien Leparoux. He won the award in 2009 making him one of the only jockeys to be named both Champion Apprentice as well as Champion Jockey. Leparoux continues to ride strong. As of June 28, 2016, Leparoux's mounts have earned close to $5.9 million.
Why the reason for a blog on French jockeys riding in the United States? I started thinking about it after watching, Julien Leparoux's ride aboard Carina Mia in the Acorn Stakes. I realized that there were 4 jockeys that I always looked for in past performances. Leparoux was one of them. So was Florent Geroux and Flavien Prat. Although Brice Blanc doesn't show up in past performances as often as he used to, he's one of the reasons I fell in love with turf racing.
Julien Leparoux - Leparoux is probably the most successful French jockey to ever ride in the United States. He's won 6 Breeders Cup races including the BC Turf Mile in 2015 aboard Tepin. Leparoux also finished second aboard Macho Again in the 2008 Preakness Stakes. Since 2007 the only name that has appeared on the list of Eclipse Award winners for Outstanding Jockey that's not Garrett Gomez, Ramon Dominguez or Javier Castellano is Julien Leparoux. He won the award in 2009 making him one of the only jockeys to be named both Champion Apprentice as well as Champion Jockey. Leparoux continues to ride strong. As of June 28, 2016, Leparoux's mounts have earned close to $5.9 million.
Florent Geroux - Geroux officially started his career in the United States in 2008. He's become one of the best jockeys in North America. Geroux is currently ranked 5th on the earnings list for 2016. His mounts have earned a remarkable $7.4 million. He has 3 Breeders Cup wins including a victory aboard Mongolian Saturday in last year's BC Turf Sprint. Geroux is the regular rider of three-year-old Gun Runner. He took that one to a third place finish in this past May's Kentucky Derby. Geroux has already made his mark and is considered the top rider in Kentucky.
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