The yearly Eclipse Awards ceremony, now in its 55th iteration, is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2025, taking place at The Breakers Palm Beach, a Florida retreat. Annually, these awards recognize excellence in Thoroughbred racing across 17 distinct classes, encompassing achievements by both equines and their human counterparts.
Among these classifications is the Eclipse Award honoring the most exceptional apprentice jockey. This accolade has been bestowed annually since its inaugural event in 1971, with 55 unique riders having claimed it during that period (including one shared victory in 1997). Its significance parallels that of a Rookie of the Year prize in other athletic domains, and numerous past honorees have subsequently attained considerable accomplishments in their riding careers.
We will now review the ten most prominent riders who have earned this esteemed recognition.
All statistical information provided here is current as of Jan. 5, 2026, and pertains exclusively to North American performance.
10. DRAYDEN VAN DYKE (2014 OUTSTANDING APPRENTICE HONOREE)
TOTAL VICTORIES: 870
LIFETIME EARNINGS: $55,656,252
Van Dyke made an immediate impact in Southern California during his inaugural season, securing 192 wins from 1,178 mounts. In 2014, he celebrated his initial graded stakes triumph aboard Sistas Stroll in the Pucker Up Stakes, followed by his first Grade 1 victory a few months later with Ring Weekend in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes.
His most successful year to date occurred in 2018. That season, he clinched both the summer and fall riding championships at the renowned Del Mar meet and achieved his first Breeders’ Cup win with Stormy Liberal in the Turf Sprint. His 22% win rate for that year represents a career-best. Van Dyke paused his riding career in October 2023 for personal reasons but resumed competing from a new base at Gulfstream Park, where he accumulated 52 wins in 2024.
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9. SHAUN BRIDGMOHAN (1998 RECIPIENT)
TOTAL VICTORIES: 3,408
LIFETIME EARNINGS: $144,276,926
Bridgmohan, originally from Jamaica, relocated to the United States in the early 1990s, commencing his riding career at Miami’s Calder Race Course in 1997. By early 1998, he transitioned to the competitive New York circuit, swiftly establishing his presence. On Feb. 15, he secured six victories in a single day at Aqueduct. By year’s end, he had amassed 199 wins, earning him the apprentice Eclipse recognition.
Following his initial years in New York, Bridgmohan spent the majority of his career competing in the Midwest. During his peak period, he typically rode at Fair Grounds in New Orleans during winter and at Churchill Downs in the spring and autumn. A significant career highlight occurred in 2002 when he piloted the gray New York veteran Evening Attire to victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Bridgmohan’s 3,408 career wins position him seventh among apprentice Eclipse-winning jockeys.
8. PACO LOPEZ (2008 RECIPIENT)
TOTAL VICTORIES: 4,367
LIFETIME EARNINGS: $165,993,970
Lopez, hailing from Mexico, also began his journey on the South Florida racing scene. He rode his initial winner at Calder in 2007 and was awarded the apprentice Eclipse the subsequent year, concluding a season with 229 victories. His 22% winning percentage that year remains tied for the third-highest of his career.
Monmouth Park in New Jersey has been the venue for Lopez’s most accomplished performances. He has claimed the leading rider title there 11 times, placing him second in the track’s history for most titles. During the 2019 meet, he achieved an exceptional 34% win rate, securing 109 victories from 325 starts. That year, he set personal bests for wins (283) and earnings ($10.9 million), which he further improved in 2021 with 321 wins and $12.2 million in earnings. In 2021, he also became the seventh jockey to win the apprentice Eclipse Award and reach 3,000 career wins.
On Oct. 6, 2024, Lopez guided Governor Sam to victory in the Indian Summer Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select at Keeneland Race Course, marking his 4,000th career win. He concluded the 2024 season with $12,380,715, establishing a new personal best for earnings, surpassing his 2021 record. Lopez continued his strong performance in 2025, setting new career high marks in both victories (325) and prize money ($13,343,780).
7. TYLER GAFFALIONE (2015 RECIPIENT)
TOTAL VICTORIES: 2,698
LIFETIME EARNINGS: $193,655,830
Tyler, the son of former jockey Steve Gaffalione, initiated his riding career at Gulfstream Park in 2014 and swiftly emerged as one of Florida’s premier riders. In 2015, he secured 217 wins from 1,419 starts, with the vast majority occurring at Gulfstream. In 2016, he claimed the summer meet riding title at Gulfstream, the first of three consecutive victories.
Since then, Gaffalione has extended his riding prowess to a national platform. In 2018, he began competing at Keeneland during its fall and spring meets, and the following year, he rode at Saratoga Race Course for the entire meet for the first time. He captured his first Grade 1 victory aboard Salty in the 2018 La Troienne Stakes presented by Twinspires.com and achieved his first Triple Crown race win with War of Will in the 2019 Preakness Stakes. In 2021, he attained a new career high in prize money with $19.2 million, a record that was quickly eclipsed in 2022 when he earned $27.3 million during a season that included Breeders’ Cup wins on Caravel (Turf Sprint) and Wonder Wheel (Juvenile Fillies), among seven Grade 1 successes.
Gaffalione’s professional trajectory maintained its upward momentum in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, he ranked third among all North American jockeys in purse earnings with $28,987,644, sixth nationally in wins with 250, and was a nominee for the Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey. He placed sixth nationally in purse earnings in 2025 with $20,503,817 and secured three Grade 1 victories, including the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes Presented by Qatar Racing.
6. RICHARD MIGLIORE (1981 RECIPIENT)
TOTAL VICTORIES: 4,450
LIFETIME EARNINGS: $160,205,725
While now possibly more recognized as an analyst on America’s Day at the Races, Migliore was a consistent force within the New York jockey circuit for several decades. A native of Long Island, N.Y., Migliore earned the apprentice Eclipse in 1981 with 298 wins. This total remained his personal best throughout his career, although he did achieve over 200 wins in a year on three additional occasions.
Apart from a few years spent in Southern California towards the conclusion of his career, Migliore rode almost exclusively in New York for his entire 30-year tenure. He secured 25 Grade 1 victories, including three aboard the John Kimmel-trained mare Hidden Lake in 1997. In 2008, he clinched his first Breeders’ Cup race, guiding Desert Code to an unexpected triumph in the inaugural Turf Sprint.
During his time in New York, Migliore received several accolades. In both 1981 and 1985, he was honored with the Eddie Arcaro Award for being the outstanding rider in New York. In 2003, he received the Mike Venezia Award, recognizing exceptional sportsmanship and community involvement.
A January 2010 accident brought an end to Migliore’s riding career. In addition to his broadcasting work with NYRA on FOX Sports, he has also contributed to HRTV and XBTV.
5. JULIEN LEPAROUX (2006 RECIPIENT)
TOTAL VICTORIES: 3,059
LIFETIME EARNINGS: $206,236,139
Leparoux, born in France, relocated to the United States in 2003 and commenced his riding endeavors at Saratoga in 2005. In 2006, he claimed three distinct riding championships: the winter title at Turfway Park, the spring title at Keeneland, and the spring-summer title at Churchill Downs. That year, he won 12 graded stakes races, with three of those victories achieved aboard the accomplished turf mare Gorella. He accumulated 403 wins in 2006, leading all American jockeys. For this remarkable season, he was a near-unanimous selection for the outstanding apprentice Eclipse Award, additionally finishing fourth in the voting for outstanding jockey.
Since that time, Leparoux has established his reputation as one of the nation’s premier turf jockeys. He has secured 10 riding titles at Keeneland alone and has been ranked within the top 10 for yearly earnings among American jockeys eight times. In 2009, Leparoux earned the Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey, marking him as the fourth rider to win both the apprentice and journeyman awards. He perhaps experienced his most significant successes as the regular rider for the outstanding racemare Tepin. In 2015, the pair collaborated to win four graded stakes, including the Breeders’ Cup Mile, which was one of Leparoux’s seven Breeders’ Cup triumphs. In 2016, Tepin and Leparoux famously won the Queen Anne Stakes at the prestigious Royal Ascot meet.
Leparoux reached a notable milestone in 2024, securing his 3,000th career win on Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs with a victory aboard Pike Place. This made him the eighth apprentice Eclipse Award winner to achieve this feat. In January 2025, he also surpassed $200 million in career prize money.
4. CASH ASMUSSEN (1979 RECIPIENT)
TOTAL VICTORIES: 923
LIFETIME EARNINGS: $24,406,833
Asmussen is among a select group of riders who have enjoyed substantial triumphs on two different continents. Born in South Dakota and raised in Texas, Asmussen commenced his professional career in 1978 at 16, spending the summer competing at Monmouth Park. That autumn, he frequently engaged in double-headers, riding at Belmont Park during daylight hours and then at the Meadowlands in the evening.
In 1979, he was honored with the outstanding apprentice Eclipse Award after a season of 236 victories, achieved almost entirely within the New York circuit. He delivered an even stronger performance the subsequent year, winning 279 races and earning over $5.3 million.
In 1982, Asmussen relocated his operations to France, becoming the primary rider for the renowned owner Stavros Niarchos. Almost immediately, Asmussen achieved significant success in Europe. In 1985, he earned the Cravache d’Or award, recognizing him as France’s top jockey, an honor he would receive five times. He won the French Derby four times and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe once, guiding Suave Dancer to victory in 1991. Asmussen introduced a distinct riding technique to Europe, maintaining a low, crouched posture on the horse. This contrasted with the prevailing European style at the time, but Asmussen’s method was quickly adopted by many local riders.
Asmussen spent his winter months on his ranch in Laredo, Texas, and occasionally accepted mounts in major American contests. Many of his rides in the U.S. were on horses conditioned by his younger brother, Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. He secured his sole Breeders’ Cup win in 1997 when steering Spinning World to triumph in the Mile for trainer Jonathan Pease. He also claimed the Arlington Million twice (in 1988 and 1992).
In 2000, Asmussen retired from riding at 39 years old. He concluded his career with over 3,000 victories, which included Grade or Group 1 wins across seven nations.
3. KENT DESORMEAUX (1987 RECIPIENT)
TOTAL VICTORIES: 6,175
LIFETIME EARNINGS: $294,648,234
Desormeaux, a native of Maurice, La., commenced his riding journey on small, non-wagering tracks in Cajun country at the age of 12. In 1986, at 16, he began riding at Evangeline Downs. Four months later, he moved to Maryland, almost instantly becoming the leading jockey on that circuit.
His Eclipse Award-winning season in 1987 was remarkable, as he recorded 450 victories from over 2,200 starts. Following an exceptional year in 1988, Desormeaux established one of racing’s most enduring records in 1989. That year, he achieved an astounding 597 wins, surpassing Chris McCarron’s previous record by 50 victories. To contextualize this, only three jockeys have reached 400 wins in a single year during the past decade. He received the Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey that year, making him the third rider to win both the outstanding apprentice and outstanding jockey Eclipse Awards. Notably, he also won the award without securing a Grade 1 race, a distinction he holds as the last jockey to do so.
Following that spectacular season, Desormeaux relocated to Southern California in 1990. That year, he earned his first Grade 1 victory aboard Delegant in the San Juan Capistrano Stakes. He was awarded his second outstanding jockey Eclipse Award in 1992 and served as the regular rider for the 1993 Horse of the Year, Kotashaan. In the same year, he received the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, chosen by his peers for demonstrating high ethical standards both on and off the racetrack.
Throughout his career, Desormeaux has won six Breeders’ Cup races and seven Triple Crown races. Three of these Triple Crown successes came in the Kentucky Derby, riding Real Quiet in 1998, Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000, and Big Brown in 2008. In 2004, Desormeaux was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame. In 2019, he reached his 6,000th career win, becoming one of only 21 North American jockeys to achieve this significant milestone. Desormeaux remains an active competitor, having recorded eight wins in 2024.
2. STEVE CAUTHEN (1977 RECIPIENT)
TOTAL VICTORIES: 954
LIFETIME EARNINGS: $13,526,857
Few, if any, jockeys have captivated the American public’s attention as profoundly as Steve Cauthen did in 1977. He commenced his riding profession a mere 10 days after his 16th birthday, competing at Churchill Downs in May 1976. Six months later, he began riding at Aqueduct and instantly ignited the racing world.
Cauthen fully captured the racing world’s notice in January 1977. Between Jan. 11 and Jan. 15, he achieved 21 victories in just five days at Aqueduct, winning five races in a single day on three separate occasions within that span. He maintained his incredible pace throughout the year, accumulating 487 wins, including 18 graded stakes, at an impressive 24% strike rate. Not only did he receive the outstanding apprentice Eclipse Award, but he also claimed the award for outstanding jockey, making him the only jockey to date to win both awards in the same year. He was additionally honored with a special Eclipse Award of Merit, a distinction only two active jockeys have ever received. His influence extended beyond the realm of racing: he was named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, Sporting News Sportsman of the Year, and the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. Cauthen had become one of the nation’s most high-profile sports figures before turning 18.
It seemed improbable for his renown to grow further in 1978, yet he ascended to even greater heights that year. He guided the magnificent colt Affirmed to a Triple Crown triumph, piloting him to victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes against his formidable rival Alydar.
Regrettably, Cauthen’s American success waned shortly after the Triple Crown. In 1979, he endured a challenging Santa Anita Park meet, which included a losing streak of 110 races. This period led to him losing the ride on Affirmed, who was subsequently ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr. for the remainder of his career. Seeking a fresh beginning, Cauthen opted to pursue his career in Europe. With the exception of a brief return to Santa Anita in the winter of 1984, he never again rode consistently in the United States.
In Europe, Cauthen rediscovered his winning form. He was crowned champion jockey in England three times and achieved six English Triple Crown race victories. He holds the unique distinction of being the only jockey to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Epsom Derby. Over his 12 years of riding in Europe, his accomplishments expanded to include the One Thousand Guineas, Epsom Oaks, Irish One Thousand Guineas, Irish Oaks, Irish Derby, Irish St. Leger, French Derby, and Italian Derby.
Cauthen retired from professional riding in 1992. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1994.
1. CHRIS MCCARRON (1974 RECIPIENT)
TOTAL VICTORIES: 7,141
LIFETIME EARNINGS: $263,986,005
For nearly thirty years, McCarron stood as one of the preeminent jockeys in the United States. He made an impactful entry into the sport in 1974, when he established a new all-time record for most wins in a single season with 547 victories. This benchmark remained unsurpassed for 15 years until Desormeaux broke it in 1989.
That season merely marked the commencement of an extraordinary career. McCarron led the nation in victories on two additional occasions and in earnings four times. He secured six Triple Crown races, including two Kentucky Derbys (Alysheba, 1987; Go for Gin, 1994), five Breeders’ Cup Classics, and the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in 1980. Throughout his entire career, much of which was spent on the demanding Southern California circuit, his win rate never dipped below 15%. He served as the primary rider for three Horses of the Year: John Henry in 1984, Alysheba in 1988, and Tiznow in 2000.
In 1989, McCarron was welcomed into the Racing Hall of Fame. He continued to compete for some time thereafter, concluding his full-time riding career after his victory in the 2002 Affirmed Handicap with Came Home. His 7,141 career wins place him seventh on the all-time list for North American jockeys, while his $263.9 million in earnings ranks 11th. Among the 10 riders ahead of him on that earnings list, only Pat Day boasts a higher career winning percentage than McCarron’s 21%.
NOTE: This article was initially published in 2021 and has since undergone revisions.
