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Julien Leparoux wins 2022 Mike Venezia Memorial Award

by Pat McKenna

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced veteran jockey Julien Leparoux as the winner of the 2022 Mike Venezia Memorial Award. 

Leparoux, based this summer at Saratoga Race Course, was chosen by a committee comprised of members of the Venezia family, representatives of The Jockeys’ Guild and retired Eclipse Award-winning jockey Richard Migliore. Leparoux will be recognized in a winner’s circle ceremony at Saratoga Race Course on Friday, August 12. 

“The Venezia Award is a unique honor because it’s about so much more than simply winning races on the track,” said Leparoux. “I am humbled and thankful to be selected as this year’s winner and look forward to thanking the Venezia family here at Saratoga Race Course on August 12.”

The Mike Venezia Memorial Award is presented annually to a jockey who displays the extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship that personified Venezia, who died as the result of injuries suffered in a spill in 1988. Venezia, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., won more than 2,300 races during his 25-year career. 

“Julien is richly deserving of this honor as a great professional both on and off the track,” said Terry Meyocks, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Jockeys’ Guild. “For years, he has represented our sport with distinction. We welcome him to the ranks of distinguished riders who have previously won the Venezia Award.” 

A native of Senlis, France and the son of the late jockey-turned-trainer Robert Leparoux, Julien Leparoux, 39, has risen to prominence since making his debut as a jockey in 2005 at Saratoga. Leparoux won the Eclipse Award as the Outstanding Apprentice Jockey of 2006, when he led the U.S. with 403 victories. He then earned a second Eclipse Award in 2009 as the year’s Outstanding Jockey, making him one of only four jockeys to receive an Eclipse as an apprentice and journeyman. 

During his career, Leparoux has amassed 2,880 wins and more than $183 million in prize earnings. Those victories include seven Breeders’ Cup races, among them the 2015 Mile aboard Champion Turf Mare Tepin, and the 2016 Juvenile on Classic Empire. At the 2009 Breeders’ Cup, Leparoux won the Shoemaker Award as the winningest jockey with three wins. 

The Venezia Memorial Award is a 13-inch bronze sculpture with a title that reads, “The Jockey, A Champion.” Leparoux joins a legendary group of riders who have won the award previously, including Venezia, who posthumously earned the inaugural award in 1989, as well as Bill Shoemaker, Chris McCaron, Angel Cordero, Jr., Jerry Bailey, Mike Smith, Pat Day, Laffit Pincay Jr., Robbie Davis, Eddie Maple, Jorge Chavez, Mike Luzzi, Dean Kutz, Gary Stevens, Richard Migliore, Patti Cooksey, Edgar Prado, Ramon Dominguez, Joe Bravo, Javier Castellano and DeShawn Parker.

For Migliore, the 2003 Venezia Memorial Award winner who is now with NYRA TV, the award carries on the legacy of Venezia.

“Thanks to NYRA, the Venezia Award continues to honor Mike’s life and legacy as well as the entire Venezia family,” said Migliore. “On behalf of the past winners of this prestigious award, I congratulate Julien on this richly deserved honor.”

The 2022 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course continues through Monday, September 5. Racing is conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

For additional information, visit NYRA.com.