Steven Asmussen, Garrett Gomez and Zayat Stables, LLC head the individual lists of the leading trainers, jockeys and owners, respectively, by North American earnings in 2008, according to final statistics released Jan. 1 by Equibase Company LLC, the Thoroughbred industry’s official database for racing information.
Big Brown led all Thoroughbreds in 2008 with North American earnings of $3,576,700. Following Big Brown was Raven's Pass with $2,700,000 and Zenyatta with $2,090,580.
The year-end compilations are distributed annually by Equibase and include results from Thoroughbred racing in North America only. The top 100 North American leaders in each category are accessible at http://www.equibase.com.
Asmussen, who previously topped the trainers’ list in 2003, won a single-season record 622 races from 3,002 starts for North American earnings of $24,235,247 in 2008. Runner-up was Todd Pletcher, who was the leading trainer by North American earnings each year from 2004-2007. Pletcher-trained horses won 208 races from 1,090 starts for earnings of $13,784,546 in 2008.
Completing the list of top 10 trainers by North American earnings in 2008 were: Richard Dutrow Jr., $12,011,668 (173 wins/709 starts); Robert Frankel, $11,702,123 (93/483); William Mott, $10,342,544 (120/798); Scott Lake, $9,343,609 (421/1,918); Jerry Hollendorfer, $8,637,578 (282/1,161); Kiaran McLaughlin, $8,152,865 (131/551); Gary Contessa, $7,482,466 (178/1,287); and John Sadler, $7,355,886 (125/652).
Garrett Gomez, with earnings of $23,344,351, topped the North American leading jockeys’ list for a third consecutive year in 2008. He rode the winners of 214 races from 1,023 mounts. Rafael Bejarano finished second with 266 wins from 1,290 mounts and earnings of $16,439,729.
Rounding out the list of top 10 jockeys by North American earnings in 2008 were: Kent Desormeaux, $15,591,897 (171 wins/999 mounts); Edgar Prado, $15,132,119 (215/1,211); John Velazquez, $14,903,211 (215/1,177); Ramon Dominguez, $14,560,866 (310/1,321); Alan Garcia, $14,468,338 (231/1,282); Robby Albarado, $14,190,917 (250/1,240); Eibar Coa, $12,410,747 (256/1,412); and Javier Castellano, $12,142,962 (157/1,005).
Zayat Stables won 116 races from 740 starts and earned $6,883,902 in North America during 2008 to lead all owners. Runner-up was Stronach Stables, which won 114 races from 466 starts for earnings of $6,677,124.
Completing the list of top 10 owners by North American earnings in 2008 were: Augustin Stable, $5,156,879 (60 wins/296 starts); Darley Stable, $4,745,650 (55/258); Maggi Moss, $4,253,963 (210/721); Godolphin Racing LLC, $4,158,944 (27/99); Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S. Moss, $4,148,872 (26/125); Heiligbrodt Racing Stable, $4,004,605 (122/627); WinStar Farm LLC, $3,851,304 (44/234); and Juddmonte Farms, Inc., $3,575,686 (18/100).
In addition to the official North American racing leaders’ lists available at http://www.equibase.com, Equibase also provides a second set of leaders’ lists that includes the results of the Dubai World Cup card from March 29, 2008, at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. Including these international earnings, Curlin was the leading Thoroughbred with earnings of $5,294,000. Steven Asmussen remained the leading trainer with earnings of $27,835,247, Garrett Gomez the leading jockey with earnings of $23,564,351 and Zayat Stables the leading owner with earnings of $6,883,902.
