Gallery: Jockeys’ Winning Moments From the Breeders’ Cup
The joy is infectious.
Competitive international fields, big purses and in many cases Eclipse Awards on the line mean that the Breeders’ Cup is one of the most exciting and prestigious set of races on the calendar. Winning one of the Breeders’ Cup championships is a mark of achievement for breeders, owners, trainers and jockeys, not to mention a major accomplishment for the horses themselves.
While the crowds may cheer loudest as the horses turn for home, the greatest moments of all sometimes happen after the wire. These photographs capture some of the emotional moments when it finally sinks in that one has won a Breeders’ Cup.
There are moments of gratitude…
Bulletin #5, ridden by Javier Castellano, wins the Juvenile Turf Sprint on Breeders’ Cup World Championship Friday at Churchill Downs on November 2, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Casey Phillips/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
Moments of elation…
Newspaperofrecord #6, ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., wins the Juvenile Fillies Turf on Breeders’ Cup World Championship Friday at Churchill Downs on November 2, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Carolyn Simancik/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
Moments of celebration…
Shamrock Rose #14, ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., wins the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint on Breeders’ Cup World Championship Saturday at Churchill Downs on November 3, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Candice Chavez/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
Moments of joy…
Connections for Stormy Liberal #9, ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in the winners circle on Breeders Cup World Championships Saturday at Churchill Downs on November 3, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Bill Denver /Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
Moments to give thanks…
City of Light #1, ridden by Javier Castellano, wins the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Breeders’ Cup World Championship Saturday at Churchill Downs on November 3, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Michael McInally/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
Moments of appreciation…
Connections for Sistercharlie #6, ridden by John Velazquez, winner of the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, celebrate in the winner’s circle on Breeders Cup World Championships Saturday at Churchill Downs on November 3, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Bill Denver /Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
Quiet moments to reflect…
Roy H #9, ridden by Paco Lopez, wins the Twinspires Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Breeders’ Cup World Championship Saturday at Churchill Downs on November 3, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Candice Chavez/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
Raucous moments to party…
Frankie Dettori celebrates atop Expert Eye #7 after winning the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Breeders’ Cup World Championship Saturday at Churchill Downs on November 3, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Alex Evers/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
Moments to acknowledge the cheers and jubiliation…
Monomoy Girl #11, ridden by Florent Geroux, wins the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Breeders’ Cup World Championship Saturday at Churchill Downs on November 3, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Carolyn Simancik/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
Moments when you realize you’ve done what many thought was impossible…
Enable #2, ridden by Frankie Dettori, wins the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf on Breeders’ Cup World Championship Saturday at Churchill Downs on November 3, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Eric Patterson/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
And of course, moments to spend between horse and rider, acknowledging everything the horse has done:
Accelerate #14, ridden by Joel Rosario, wins the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Breeders’ Cup World Championship Saturday at Churchill Downs on November 3, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Candice Chavez/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
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