Julien Leparoux has been awarded the 2026 George Woolf Award by a vote of jockeys nationwide in recognition of his talents as a rider and the quality of his character.
Awarded annually, the George Woolf Award honors riders whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and for the sport of Thoroughbred racing. It has been presented by Santa Anita Park since 1950. As each year's winner is selected by a vote of fellow jockeys, it is one of the most cherished honors given to a rider.
"This is a proud moment," Leparoux said by phone from Kentucky. "This award is so unique and special. To be recognized by my fellow jockeys is really special."
A 42-year-old native of France, Leparoux has been riding in the United States since 2005. In 2006, he won the Eclipse Award as North America's outstanding apprentice jockey. Then in 2009, Leparoux also took home the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in North America. He is one of only four jockeys to win an Eclipse Award as both an apprentice and a journeyman.
As of March 23, Leparoux had won 3,068 races and tallied purse earnings of more than $207 million. His biggest success has come at the Breeders' Cup World Championships, where he has won seven of the prestigious races and placed in 15 others. His best Breeders' Cup performance came in 2009 at Santa Anita when he won the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) with Informed Decision, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) aboard She Be Wild, and the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) on Furthest Land.
To date, Leparoux has won 275 graded/group stakes that include 52 grade 1s. Other top performers include Einstein, who won the 2009 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) for trainer Helen Pitts. It's the only time a female trainer has won the Big Cap. They would go on later that year to win the Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) at Churchill Downs.
"We beat some nice horses in that race," Leparoux recalled. "It was a special day, especially to do it for the first woman. He was a big, black horse. People loved him."
Leparoux currently rides full-time at Turfway Park in Kentucky. He resides in Louisville with his wife, Shea, and two sons: Mitchell, age 10; and Vinn, who is eight. Shea is a daughter of late trainer Mike Mitchell, who spent decades training on the Southern California circuit.
"It was my dream as a child to be a jockey," Leparoux said. "To be able to live your dream for 20 years, and to know that you are respected by your colleagues, it means everything."
Leparoux will be honored with the Woolf Award in a winner's circle ceremony at Santa Anita in April.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
