Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Jareth Loveberry

Who is Jareth Loveberry?

Jockey Jareth Loveberry has been riding since 2005, winning more than 1,750 races from over 12,800 mounts. The horses he’s guided have earned nearly $35 million, and Loveberry’s success is only growing.

In 2021, Loveberry enjoyed a career-best year from a win-percentage perspective, visiting the winner’s circle at a 23% rate. Then in 2022 he rode 147 winners (the second-highest yearly tally of his career) and won $5,288,820 in purse money, a personal best.

The positive momentum is continuing in 2023. Loveberry often rides at Canterbury Park in Minnesota, where he ranked as the leading jockey of 2017. Last fall he rode Two Phil’s to a 9 3/4-length triumph in the Shakopee Juvenile S. at Canterbury, a partnership that has reaped dividends. Following a productive Road to the Kentucky Derby campaign, Two Phil’s and Loveberry are heading to Churchill Downs to compete in the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).

In advance of the Run for the Roses, let’s check out Loveberry’s record riding on dirt and synthetic at a handful of tracks where multiple Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races are contested:

All stats listed above are from Jan. 1, 2018 through April 25, 2023. Generated by STATSMASTER, Powered by TrackMaster, an Equibase Company.

Loveberry at Churchill Downs

In 2022, Loveberry rode in three races over the Churchill Downs main track, picking up one win and one third-place finish. The victory was a big one: Loveberry guided Two Phil’s to a 5 1/4-length romp in the Street Sense (G3).

Loveberry at Fair Grounds

Loveberry started riding at Fair Grounds in late 2021 and has since compiled a productive 63-for-361 (17%) record. While he’s yet to win a graded stakes over the Louisiana oval, he came close a couple of times aboard Two Phil’s during the winter, finishing second in the Lecomte (G3) and third in the Risen Star (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Loveberry at Keeneland

Loveberry isn’t a frequent participant in racing at Keeneland, riding in only 22 dirt races since 2018. His lone victory during that timeframe came aboard True West in a 1 1/16-mile starter allowance.

Loveberry at Oaklawn Park

Loveberry hasn’t enjoyed quite as much success at Oaklawn Park as at Fair Grounds, going 35-for-467 (7%) since 2018. But he’s won nearly as much money and enjoyed a couple of good runs aboard the classy filly Amy’s Challenge in 2018, winning the Dixie Belle S. and finishing second in the Honeybee (G3).

Loveberry at Turfway Park

Since 2018, Loveberry has ridden five races over the synthetic Tapeta track at Turfway Park, and the results have been lucrative. Guiding Two Phil’s to a 5 1/4-length demolition of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby ranks as an obvious highlight, but Loveberry’s 2-for-5 (40%) record also includes a victory in the 2023 Serena’s Song S. aboard Sunday Shoes.