Jockey Bios

Julien Leparoux

Born: July 15, 1983, in Senlis, France

Record at Keeneland

Total Wins: 515

Stakes Wins: 66

Career Firsts

First Grade 1 Win: 2006 Beverly D at Arlington Park on Gorella (FR)

First Stakes Win: 2006 Likely Exchange at Turfway Park on Cat Quatorze

First Graded Stakes Win: 2006 Aegon Turf Sprint (G3) at Churchill Downs on Man of Illusion (AUS)

First Career Win: Aug. 18, 2005, at Saratoga on Easter Guardian

Starters in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes

Year	Horse	Finish
2019	Sir Winston	7th
2018	Kanthaka	6th
2017	Irap	Won
2016	My Man Sam	2nd
2015	Danzig Moon	2nd
2014	Vinceremos	14th
2013	Java’s War	Won
2012	Ever So Lucky	10th
2011	Santiva	9th
2010	Pleasant Prince	7th
2009	Terrain	4th
2007	Time Squared	6th
2006	Sadler’s Trick	7th

At Keeneland

Second all time by stakes wins (66) and fourth by wins (515). Is Keeneland's leading active jockey by victories.

Became the fourth rider in Keeneland history to win 500 races at the track on opening day of 2021 Spring Meet. His milestone win was aboard Gear Jockey in the fifth race. Other jockeys with 500 Keeneland wins are Pat Day (918), Don Brumfield (716) and Robby Albarado (526).

Leading rider 12 times: 2019, 2016 Fall, 2014 Spring, 2012 Spring and Fall, 2011 Spring and Fall, 2010 Fall, 2009 Spring, 2007 Spring and 2006 Spring (tie and as an apprentice) and Fall.

Won six races on the 10-race card on April 20, 2012, to equal Craig Perret and Randy Romero for most wins on a single card.

First Keeneland win came during the 2005 Fall Meet.

First Keeneland stakes win was the 2006 Lafayette on Likely.

Two wins in the Toyota Blue Grass: Java's War (2013) and Irap (2017).

Four wins in the First Lady (G1): Forever Together (2008), Never Retreat (2011), Better Lucky (2013), Tepin (2015).

Has additional Grade 1 wins in the Darley Alcibiades (Peace and War, 2014; Heavenly Love, 2017), the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (Classic Empire, 2016), the Coolmore Jenny Wiley (Centre Court, 2013; Tepin, 2016), the Juddmonte Spinster (Asi Siempre, 2006), the Maker's Mark Mile (Karelian, 2010; Heart to Heart, 2018) and the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (Kitten's Dumplings, 2013).

Career

Won 2009 Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey and 2006 Eclipse as outstanding apprentice. Is one of only four jockeys to receive an Eclipse as an apprentice and journeyman.

Breeders’ Cup wins (7): 2007 Juvenile Turf on Nownownow; 2008 Filly and Mare Turf on Forever Together; 2009 Dirt Mile on Furthest Land; 2009 Filly and Mare Sprint on Informed Decision; 2009 Juvenile Fillies on She Be Wild; 2015 Mile on Tepin; and 2016 Juvenile on Classic Empire.

Rode champion Tepin to win the 2016 Queen Anne (G1) at the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting in England.

Recorded his 3,000th win Nov. 28, 2024, at Churchill Downs when he rode Pike Place to win the third race.

North American career earnings near $200 million with 3,004 wins through Dec. 18, 2024.

Click here for his Equibase career record.

Background

Julien’s father, Robert, was a jockey who later became a trainer. Julien grew up around racing in Chantilly, France, but his father stressed the importance of his education. He came to Southern California in early 2003 to work as an exercise rider for trainer Patrick Biancone, but his riding talents were readily apparent and he launched his career as a jockey in the summer of 2005.

Married Shea Mitchell, daughter of trainer Mike Mitchell, in December 2012. The couple has two sons.

Julien is a Vice Chairman and Treasurer of the Jockeys' Guild.