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Luis Saez
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Luis Saez (born May 19, 1992) is a Panamanian jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. Saez rode Maximum Security to finish first in the 2019 Kentucky Derby but was subsequently disqualified due to interference. The two later won the world's richest race, the $20,000,000 Saudi Cup, in 2020.[2] Saez won his first Breeders' Cup race in 2020 and first American Classic in 2021, both with champion Essential Quality.

Key Information

Background

[edit]

Saez was born on May 19, 1992, in Panama City, Panama. He grew up on a farm and trained to be a jockey at the Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey Training Academy in Panama. He rode 37 winners in Panama before relocating to the United States.[3] His younger brother, Juan, also became a jockey but died in a riding accident at Indiana Grand in 2014.[4] Saez dedicated his win in the 2021 Belmont Stakes to his brother.[5]

Saez rides predominantly on the New York racing circuit and calls Belmont Park his second home.[5] His height is 62 inches (160 cm) and his riding weight is 111 pounds (50 kg).[6]

Career

[edit]

Saaz earned his first win in the United States on August 20, 2009, aboard Fearless Honor at Calder Race Track.[6] His first stakes win was in 2009 in the Needles Stakes at Calder with Cinnamon Road. His first graded stakes win was in 2010 with Twilight Meteor in the Tropical Park Handicap, again at Calder.[3]

In 2013, Saez scored his first Grade I win aboard Will Take Charge in the Travers Stakes. The two also won the Pennsylvania Derby and Clark Handicap, and finished second in the 2013 Breeders' Cup Classic. Will Take Charge earned the Eclipse Award as that year's Champion three-year-old colt.[1][6]

Saez tied a Gulfstream Park record on January 24, 2018, when he rode seven winners on a single card. On November 9, 2018, he recorded his 2,000th win when he won the fourth race at Aqueduct on Y'allcomenow.[3]

In 2019, Saez partnered with Maximum Security to wins in the Florida Derby, Haskell Invitational and Clark Handicap. These wins were overshadowed however by a controversial disqualification in the Kentucky Derby when Maximum Security swerved as the field turned for home with the colt on the lead. Saez said the horse had reacted to noise from the infield crowd, but was immediately brought under control. However, the swerve affected several horses behind him and could have caused a major accident if he had clipped heels with another horse.[7] Saez was subsequently suspended for 15 days for "failure to control his mount".[8] The two later won the world's richest race, the $20,000,000 Saudi Cup, in 2020, although the purse distribution was put on hold due to doping allegation's related to the horse's trainer.[2]

In 2020, Saez partnered with Essential Quality to win in the Breeders' Futurity and Breeders' Cup Juvenile, earning Saez his first win at the Breeders' Cup and the colt the Eclipse Award for champion two-year-old colt. In 2021, the two teamed up to win the Blue Grass and Belmont Stakes, the latter being Saez's first win of an American Triple Crown race.[1][3]

In 2024, Saez partnered with Dornoch in his second Belmont Stakes win after winning on top of Essential Quality in 2021. The upset victory was a vindication after a 10th-place finish in the 2024 Kentucky Derby after Mystik Dan, the Kentucky Derby winner, beat him to the rail position. [9]

Ranking

[edit]
North American Rank[1] by earnings by number of wins
2009 172
2010 58 19
2011 34 13
2012 36 5
2013 9 36
2014 17 64
2015 7 16
2016 9 14
2017 8 7
2018 8 8
2019 7 4
2020 3 3
2021 3 3

References

[edit]
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Luis Saez

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from Grokipedia
Luis Saez is a prominent Panamanian-American jockey renowned for his consistent high-level performances, including two victories in the and multiple triumphs, amassing 3,849 career wins and $255.7 million in earnings as of November 2025. Born on May 19, 1992, in , , Saez stands at 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 111 pounds, attributes that have aided his success in the demanding sport of . He grew up on a in Panama and graduated from the Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey Training Academy before relocating to the , where he secured his first professional victory on August 20, 2009, aboard Fearless Honor at Calder Race Course in after earning 37 wins in his native country. Saez's career breakthrough came in 2013 when he rode the three-year-old champion Will Take Charge to victories in the Grade 1 , Grade 1 Clark Handicap, and Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby, marking his emergence as a top-tier rider. He reached significant milestones, including his 2,000th North American win in 2018 and his 3,000th career victory in June 2022 at . Among his most notable achievements are his Breeders' Cup wins: the 2020 Juvenile on , which propelled the colt to further success, and subsequent Triple Crown races. Saez guided to victory in the 2021 , securing his first Triple Crown win, and later partnered with to win the 2024 , securing his second victory in the race on different horses. Saez has earned multiple meet titles, including the 2021 Saratoga Angel Cordero Jr. Jockey Championship with 64 wins, and ranked fifth among North American jockeys in purse earnings in 2024 with $25.9 million. Internationally, he won the 2023 Saudi International Jockeys' Challenge and defended his title in 2024. As of November 2025, Saez has recorded 218 wins from 1,381 starts, generating $25.5 million in earnings for the year, ranking him among the top jockeys by wins and earnings while continuing to compete at major tracks like , Saratoga, and . His career totals stand at 3,849 wins from 22,190 starts, with total earnings of $255.7 million, underscoring his status as one of the sport's elite riders.

Early Life and Background

Childhood in Panama

Luis Saez was born on May 19, 1992, in , . He grew up in the rural Darien Province in eastern , on his family's farm approximately four hours from the capital, where the household faced financial hardships, lacking basic amenities such as a car or television. The Saez family maintained a with , , and work animals, which served as primary transportation due to poor road conditions in the region. Saez and his brothers began riding at a very young age, often racing their father's three across the property at high speeds, much to their father's frustration—he would occasionally take the away to enforce caution. This hands-on environment with from toddlerhood onward sparked Saez's early fascination with riding and instilled a deep connection to equine activities. Saez grew up with six siblings in a racing-oriented family; he is the older brother to fellow jockeys Juan Saez, who tragically died in a 2014 racing accident, and Sebastian Saez, who also pursued a career in . The farm life not only provided practical experience but also exposed the brothers to the sounds of horse races broadcast on the radio from , further fueling Saez's passion for the sport. This rural upbringing profoundly shaped his initial interest in , laying the foundation for his later professional pursuits. At age 14, Saez transitioned to formal training at the Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey School in , building on the skills honed through his farm experiences.

Training and Initial Racing Experience

Saez completed his formal jockey education at the renowned Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey Training in , , graduating in December 2009 after participating in a rigorous two-year program that included classes on riding techniques, equine care, barn management, and intensive exercise regimes. The , established in and named after the legendary Panamanian jockey Laffit Pincay Jr., has long served as a cradle for top international talent, emphasizing practical skills essential for professional . Following his training, Saez began his professional riding career in , securing his initial mounts at local tracks such as the Hipódromo Presidente Remón, where he gained experience navigating the demands of handling under the oversight of the Panamanian Jockey Club's regulations. These early rides allowed him to develop proficiency in race tactics, horse positioning, and stamina management in competitive settings, building a strong foundation amid Panama's vibrant racing culture. By late 2009, he had already demonstrated promise through consistent performances on the local circuit. In his nascent professional phase, Saez amassed 37 wins in his native country, a notable achievement for a young apprentice that highlighted his quick adaptation and natural aptitude for the sport. These victories, earned primarily in 2009 before his relocation to the later that year for broader opportunities, underscored the effectiveness of his academy training in preparing him for the rigors of professional competition.

Professional Career

Debut and Early Successes in the US

Luis Saez, having honed his riding skills at the Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey Training Academy in , relocated to the in 2009 to pursue professional opportunities in . His debut season proved promising, as he secured his first American victory on August 20, 2009, at Calder Race Course, guiding Fearless Honor to a 3½-length triumph while hugging the rail. This win marked the beginning of a rapid ascent for the 17-year-old apprentice . Establishing Calder Race Track—now known as Gulfstream Park West—as his initial base, Saez demonstrated remarkable consistency and quickly dominated the local standings. He captured four consecutive riding titles at the track from 2010 to 2013, including a meet-record 118 victories in 2010 that solidified his reputation among Florida's racing community. His aggressive style and affinity for the track's layout contributed to these successes, earning him widespread respect from trainers and owners early in his U.S. career. Saez's first full calendar year in 2011 showcased his growing prowess, as he tallied 236 wins from 1,169 mounts nationwide, surpassing 100 victories and ranking 13th in the national standings by wins. This volume of success highlighted his adaptability and work ethic, laying the groundwork for broader opportunities. By the early , he began transitioning to nearby , where the track's prestige and year-round schedule allowed him to compete in higher-profile races while maintaining strong performances in .

Major Wins and Milestones

Luis Saez achieved his first Grade I victory in the 2013 at , guiding Will Take Charge to a dramatic nose win over Moreno in the $1 million Mid-Summer Derby. The colt, trained by , rallied from off the pace to cover 1¼ miles in 2:02.68, marking Saez's breakthrough in elite competition. In the 2019 Kentucky Derby, Saez piloted Maximum Security to a wire-to-wire victory, crossing the finish line 1¾ lengths ahead of Country House in a time of 2:03.93 for 1¼ miles at Churchill Downs. However, stewards disqualified the horse for interference with War of Will and others on the backstretch, promoting Country House to winner and resulting in Saez receiving a 15-day suspension. The decision sparked widespread controversy, with owner Gary West filing an appeal to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which was denied, followed by a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the result. Saez himself appealed the suspension, arguing under Kentucky rules that fouls are not solely chargeable to the jockey, but he dropped the appeal in May 2020 after serving the penalty. A U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the disqualification in August 2020, solidifying the outcome despite ongoing debate in racing circles. The episode briefly shadowed Saez's career but highlighted his resilience in high-stakes scenarios. Saez's partnership with Maximum Security continued successfully into 2020, culminating in a win in the inaugural at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in , where the horse defeated Midnight Bisou by 3/4 length to claim the $20 million purse—the world's richest race at the time. Covering 1,800 meters in 1:50.09, the victory earned Saez and connections the winner's share of $10 million. However, in August 2024, Maximum Security was disqualified from the result due to a doping violation involving , with the title awarded to Midnight Bisou and the purse redistributed. Later that year, Saez secured his first triumph in the Juvenile at , riding [Essential Quality](/page/Essential Quality) to a 3/4-length victory over Keepmeinmind in the $2 million Grade I event. The Godolphin homebred, trained by , rallied from sixth to win in 1:42.09 for 1 1/16 miles, earning Saez praise for his patient handling amid traffic. Building on that momentum, Saez won the 2021 Belmont Stakes aboard , securing his first American Classic in the 153rd running at . As the 6-5 favorite, the colt held off Hot Rod Charlie by 1¼ lengths over 1½ miles in 2:27.11, completing a strong Triple Crown campaign after finishes of second in the and third in the Preakness. Saez claimed his second Triple Crown victory in the 2024 Belmont Stakes, steering 17-1 long shot to an upset win in the relocated Grade I race at . Trained by brothers and Gargan, rallied along the rail to prevail by a half-length over Mindframe in 2:01.64 for 1¼ miles, capitalizing on the shorter distance due to track renovations at Belmont.

Recent Seasons (2024–2025)

In 2024, Saez enjoyed a strong season, particularly at where he secured 71 victories during the Championship Meet, contributing to his fourth-place ranking in national earnings with over $25 million. His highlight came in the at , where he guided the 17-1 longshot to an upset victory by a half-length over Mindframe, marking his second win in the Triple Crown classic. This success built on his prior Belmont triumph in 2021 and underscored his tactical prowess in major stakes races. Entering 2025, Saez sought redemption in the after the controversial 2019 disqualification of Maximum Security, taking the mount on Neoequos for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Aboard the 50-1 outsider from post position 2, Saez and Neoequos finished outside the top positions in the muddy conditions at , where claimed victory. Despite the result, Saez's participation marked his 12th appearance, reflecting his continued pursuit of that elusive win. Through November 2025, Saez maintained a robust campaign, ranking fourth in North American earnings with $24,777,624 from 1,349 starts and 211 wins. On at , he notched a strong second-place finish aboard Contrary in an allowance race, demonstrating his competitive edge late in the meet. That same day, Saez announced a shift in his winter basing from to Oaklawn Park in , aiming to capitalize on the Hot Springs track's opportunities during its December-to-May season.

Racing Statistics and Rankings

Career Earnings and Win Totals

Luis Saez has established himself as a top earner and winner in North American through consistent performance over more than a decade. As of November 20, 2025, his career totals include 3,849 wins from 22,190 starts, with purse earnings of $255,679,839. Saez reached the significant milestone of 3,000 career wins on June 5, 2022, riding Funny Joke to victory in an allowance race at . He surpassed $200 million in career by 2023, with major victories such as the 2020 contributing to his success.

Annual Rankings and Achievements

Luis Saez has maintained a strong presence among North America's top jockeys since establishing himself , consistently ranking in the top 10 for from onward and frequently in the top 10 for wins during that period. His performance metrics highlight a dedication to high-volume riding, with annual win totals often exceeding 200 and surpassing $13 million each year from 2016 to 2024. In 2025, through November 20, Saez ranks fourth in North American wins and with 218 wins and $25,498,916, continuing his streak of elite competition despite a partial season. Saez's peak years came in 2020 and 2021, when he achieved top-three finishes in both wins and earnings among peers. In 2020, he placed third with 268 wins and $16,511,332 in earnings, trailing only and in a season marked by the challenges of the . The following year, 2021, saw similar excellence as Saez again ranked third with 293 wins and $26,344,654 in earnings, benefiting from high-profile victories such as the on . These seasons underscored his ability to secure mounts in lucrative races, often for leading trainers like , positioning him ahead of many established riders like and . To illustrate Saez's yearly standings relative to peers, the following table summarizes his rankings in wins and earnings from 2016 to 2025 (partial), based on North American statistics:
YearWins RankWins TotalEarnings RankEarnings
201614th2139th$13,339,491
20177th2368th$13,403,109
20188th2458th$17,031,716
20194th2747th$18,209,050
20203rd2683rd$16,511,332
20213rd2933rd$26,344,654
20224th2725th$24,329,355
20234th2514th$23,191,560
20247th2355th$25,911,753
2025*4th2184th$25,498,916
*Partial year as of November 20, 2025. Data sourced from Equibase. In addition to his national rankings, Saez has earned recognition through awards and track-specific titles that affirm his dominance at key venues. He received an nomination as Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in 2009, early in his U.S. career, highlighting his rapid ascent. At Calder Race Course, Saez won four consecutive riding titles from 2009 to 2012, establishing a foundation in racing. He later secured meet titles in 2016–2017 (102 wins) and 2017–2018 (record 137 wins), outpacing competitors like in those championship seasons. These accomplishments reflect his strategic focus on circuits, where he has consistently led in local win percentages and earnings shares.

Personal Life

Family and Dedications

Luis Saez hails from a family with strong ties to in . His younger brother, Juan Saez, pursued a promising career as an apprentice but tragically died at age 17 from sustained in a fall during a race at Indiana Grand Race Course on October 14, 2014. Another younger brother, Sebastian Saez, is an active professional who, like Luis, trained at the prestigious Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey School in and has competed successfully . The loss of profoundly affected Luis, who has frequently honored his brother's memory through his racing achievements. In June 2021, Saez dedicated his victory in the aboard [Essential Quality](/page/Essential Quality) to Juan, tearfully stating after the race, "I was giving thanks to the Lord and my brother Juan, and I dedicate this race to him," emphasizing that Juan was always watching over him. Saez has shared that he thinks of Juan before every race, using the emotional weight of the tragedy as ongoing motivation to excel in the demanding sport. Saez is married to Saez, and the couple has three daughters: , Genesis, and . Despite the extensive travel required by his career across major U.S. racing circuits, Saez balances family responsibilities, often crediting his wife for her unwavering support during key moments, such as when she and their daughters attended his Belmont triumph.

Physical Attributes and Base

Luis Saez measures 5 feet 2 inches (62 inches) in height and rides at a weight of 111–114 pounds, physical characteristics that align well with the demands of jockeying by facilitating balance, speed, and endurance on the track. Throughout much of his career, Saez has maintained primary bases at in New York, where he is frequently based during the spring and summer meets, and in , serving as his traditional winter headquarters. For the 2025–2026 winter season, however, Saez plans to shift his primary base to Oaklawn Park in , while riding select meets at Gulfstream or the Fair Grounds during breaks. Saez demonstrates strong adaptability by regularly competing at various prominent tracks across the , including in and for key events like the . These shifts reflect the nomadic nature of professional jockeying, building on the physical resilience developed during his early training in .

References

  1. https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=People&searchType=J&eID=135658&rbt=TB
  2. https://www.nyra.com/leaders/jockeys/135658/luis-saez/
  3. https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/news/luis-saez-notches-2%2C000th-victory-in-north-america/
  4. https://www.nyra.com/belmont/news/jockey-luis-saez-reaches-3%2C000-career-wins
  5. https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/250663/saez-gets-his-classic-victory-in-belmont-stakes
  6. https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/284080/meet-the-jockeys-for-the-2025-kentucky-derby
  7. https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/274922/saez-attempts-saudi-international-jockey-crown-defense
  8. https://donnabrothers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SaezLuis_updatedJan2021.pdf
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  25. https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/06/sport/maximum-security-derby-appeal-preakness
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  27. https://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/article245333565.html
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  41. https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/mark-story/article305555331.html
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  56. https://cms.nyra.com/saratoga/leaders/jockeys/135658
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  58. https://www.nyrainc.com/media/jockeys/luis-saez
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  60. https://www.twinspires.com/edge/racing/kentucky-derby-jockey-profile-luis-saez/
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