Irishman Joseph O’Brien, the son of champion trainer Aidan O’Brien, holds the distinction of being both the youngest jockey and trainer to have ever won a Breeders’ Cup race. In 2011 he rode St. Nicholas Abbey to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf and in 2019 he saddled Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Iridessa to victory.
Other interesting but off-the-beaten path statistics for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships:
Oldest Horses to Run in a Breeders’ Cup Race
Cloudy’s Knight, 9 Years Old (2009 Marathon)
John’s Call, 9 Years Old (2000 Turf)
Bet On Sunshine, 9 Years Old (2001 Sprint)
Calidoscopio (Arg), 9 Years Old (2012 Marathon)
Oldest Horse to Win a Breeders’ Cup Race
Calidoscopio (Arg), 9 Years Old (2012 Marathon)
Oldest Trainer to Win a Breeders’ Cup Race
D. Wayne Lukas (79), Take Charge Brandi (2014 Juvenile Fillies)
Youngest Trainer to Win a Breeders’ Cup Race
Joseph O’Brien (26), Iridessa (2019 Filly & Mare Turf
Oldest Jockey to Win a Breeders’ Cup Race
Bill Shoemaker (56), Ferdinand (1987 Classic)
Youngest Jockey to Win a Breeders’ Cup Race
Joseph O’Brien (18), St Nicholas Abbey (IRE) (2011 Turf)
First Winning Female Trainer
Jenine Sahadi, Lit de Justice (1996 Sprint)
First Winning Female Jockey
Julie Krone, Halfbridled (2003 Juvenile Fillies)
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