The world of horse racing saw remarkable achievements in 2024, with records shattered and champions celebrated. From owners to jockeys and trainers, the year-end report from Equibase highlighted some incredible performances. Let’s dive into the details of this exciting year in Thoroughbred racing.
Godolphin’s Dominance in Racing
For the fourth year in a row, Godolphin stood as the leading owner by earnings, cementing its place at the top of the horse racing world. The stable recorded an impressive 104 North American wins from 460 starts, setting a new earnings record of $20,234,455. Including international earnings from the Dubai and Saudi Cup days, the total climbed to a staggering $24,414,455. Godolphin’s success was powered by standout horses like Sierra Leone, who claimed victories in major races such as the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Sierra Leone: Top Thoroughbred of 2024
Sierra Leone led all North American Thoroughbreds in earnings with $5,911,250, thanks to wins in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes, and Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes. Including international competitions, Señor Buscador topped the earnings list globally, with $12,021,000, highlighted by his win in the Saudi Cup (G1) and a third-place finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1).
Other top-earning horses included:
- Mystik Dan: $4,070,550
- Thorpedo Anna: $3,653,050
- Fierceness: $2,753,600
- Rebel’s Romance: $2,600,000
Flavien Prat: A Year of Unmatched Success
Flavien Prat, one of the sport’s top jockeys, had a historic 2024. He rode to victory 230 times from 1,040 mounts, earning $37,274,176. Prat broke records for the most stakes wins in a single season (82) and graded stakes wins (56). These achievements surpassed previous marks held by Irad Ortiz Jr. and Jerry Bailey.
Other top jockeys included:
- Irad Ortiz Jr.: $32,963,380
- Tyler Gaffalione: $28,987,644
- Jose Ortiz: $26,004,396
Chad Brown’s Return to the Top
Renowned trainer Chad Brown reclaimed the title of leading trainer by earnings in 2024, his first since 2022 and sixth overall. His runners earned a total of $30,866,710, achieving 211 wins from 344 starters. Brown’s consistent success exemplified his expertise in preparing top-level horses for North America’s biggest races.
Top trainers by earnings also included:
- Steve Asmussen: $29,338,851
- Brad Cox: $28,301,397
- Todd Pletcher: $19,901,016
The 2024 horse racing season was one for the history books. With Godolphin’s record-breaking earnings, Sierra Leone’s dominance, Flavien Prat’s extraordinary riding achievements, and Chad Brown’s training expertise, the year was filled with excitement and milestones. As we move into 2025, fans and participants alike are eager to see what new heights this thrilling sport will reach.
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