Mike Smith Jockey - All About Mike page

With his triumph aboard Zenyatta in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), Smith moved within two wins of tying Jerry Bailey's record of 15 Breeders' Cup victories. In 2008, he won the Ladies' Classic (G1) aboard Zenyatta as well as the Juvenile Fillies (G1) aboard Stardom Bound. He also rode two winners in 1994 and 1995. He leads all active riders in money earned and total victories.
Is the regular rider of two-time champion Zenyatta who capped 2009 by winning the Breeders' Cup Classic against males. The undefeated mare has extended her winning streak in 2010 with five straight wins in G1 stakes races ... She enters the Breeders' Cup with a perfect 19 for 19 record.
Top victories in 2010 included his first Belmont Stakes (G1) with Drosselmeyer. Top mounts in 2010 included undefeated sensation Zenyatta (G1 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap, Apple Blossom Invitational Stakes, Vanity Handicap, Clement L. Hirsch Stakes and Lady's Secret Stakes), Richard's Kid (G1 Pacific Classic), Proviso (GB) (four G1 races, Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap, Just a Game Stakes, Diana Stakes and First Lady Stakes), Gotta Have Her (G2 Palomar Handicap) Neko Bay (G2 San Pasqual Handicap), Alphie's Bet, California Flag, Custom for Carlos, Free Flying Soul, Gallant Son and Spice Route among others.
Completed his "Triple Crown" in 2010 with Belmont Stakes (G1) victory aboard Drosselmeyer. Previously, he won the 1993 Preakness Stakes (G1) on Prairie Bayou and the 2005 G1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands aboard Giacomo.
In 2005, rode Giacomo to an upset victory in the Kentucky Derby, resulting in a $102.60 payoff on a $2 bet. They went on to finish third in the Preakness and seventh in the Belmont ... In three Derby rides prior to his triumph aboard Giacomo, finished third in 1999 with Cat Thief and second with both Proud Citizen in 2002 and Lion Heart in 2004. Finished seventh aboard Tiago in 2007.
After spending the bulk of his career in New York, 1989-2001, moved his tack to California.
Inducted into Racing’s Hall of Fame in 2003.
Was presented with the 2000 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, the highest honor bestowed by his peers. Other major awards include ESPN’s 1993 ESPY Award for outstanding jockey, and the 1994 Mike Venezia Award, given by the New York Racing Association for outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship.
Suffered major injuries in two separate spills in 1998. In March he was out for two months with a broken shoulder, and a spill in August resulted in a broken back; Smith wore a body cast for months, but made it back to riding during the 1999 Gulfstream meet.
In 1994 he set a record for stakes wins in a year with 68 – including 20 grade 1 victories, five of which came aboard Horse of the Year Holy Bull. That record was broken in 2003 by Jerry Bailey, then passed again in 2007 by Garrett Gomez.
Eclipse Award winner as outstanding jockey in 1993 and 1994. Also was national leader by money won in both years.
In 1991, became the first U.S.-based jockey to win a European classic, taking the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) with Fourstars Allstar.
Rode in Arkansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Kentucky, and Minnesota in 1983, shortly after launching his licensed career in 1982 at age 16 (he won his first race that year with Forever Man at Santa Fe in New Mexico).
Began riding races in New Mexico at age 11.
Was a regular during the two seasons of the popular Animal Planet series "Jockeys."
Is closing in on 5,000 wins, with fewer than 90 to go. "It's a goal," admitted Mike. "There are not many in that league."
His physical fitness regime includes weight training, circuit training and running.
Career Accomplishments:

Leading Jockey in New York 1991,1992, and 1993
7 Riding titles at Belmont Park
5 Riding titles at Aqueduct
3 Riding titles at Saratoga
13 Breeders' Cup wins
Awards:

Eclipse Awards - 1993, 1994
Big Sport of Turfdom Award - 2010
Mike Venezia Memorial Award 1991, 1992, and 1993
George Woolf Award: 2000
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003
In 1994 Mike won 20 Grade 1 stakes and a total of 68 stakes to break his own record.
ESPY Award 1994 - Best Jockey