Joel Rosario

Primary Tracks: Saratoga, Belmont, Aqueduct, Santa Anita, Keeneland

Joel Rosario came to America by way of the Dominican Republic and started his riding career on the California racing circuit. His American riding career started in 2006 when he took mounts primarily at Golden Gate Fields, Bay Meadows, and Fresno Fair Meet.

It didn’t take Rosario long to climb the ranks of California racing, winning his first major stakes race in 2007, just one year after his American Debut. His career would soon explode. In 2008 he would ride 4 major stakes winners and crack the top 20 riders in earnings for the year. Since 2008 he has only finished out of the top 5 in yearly earnings twice among all American riders.

In 2020 Rosario reached a milestone riding Hit the Whoa to his 3,000th career victory. In recent years Rosario has gained a reputation for being one of the best timing and finishing jockeys in the United States. This skill set is particularly noticeable when he rides in turf races.

Accomplishments

Rosario has become one of the top jockeys in American racing, eclipsing 25 graded stakes wins in 9 of the last 11 years. His list of stakes wins is extensive including some top prizes such as the La Brea Stakes, the Malibu, and the Shoemaker Mile.

In 2013 he gained international fame winning the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Dubai World Cup. Rosario also had domestic success that year earning his first and only Kentucky Derby to date with Animal Kingdom.

Rosario has won a Breeder’s Cup race 9 times and In 2021 he added the Pegasus World Cup to his list of accomplishments getting Knicks Go home first for trainer Brad Cox.

Top Riders/Trainers: Christophe Clement, Chad Brown, Steven Asmussen, William Mott, Shug McGaughey

Top 5 Career Horses in Earnings: Animal Kingdom, Accelerate, Mind Your Biscuits, Knicks Go, Frosted