2020 Breeders’ Cup Statistical Analysis
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:
Past Breeders’ Cup Winners
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
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)
Miriam Lee has always been a horse racing fan thanks to trips to the tracks in her home state of Maryland with her father as kid. She owns an OTTB and is an advocate for promoting the sport among her peers. Miriam studies communication arts at Hood College and will receive her master’s degree in 2021, which she plans to use for a career in screenwriting. Her all-time favorite racehorse is Man O War.
