2011 Eclipse Awards: Ramon Dominguez

For jockey Ramon Dominguez, 2010 was a career year as he led North America in money won with more than $16.1 million and earned his first Eclipse Award as outstanding rider.

As rewarding as 2010 was, 2011 proved even more lucrative for the 35-year-old Dominguez. He was the second-leading rider in North America by victories, and he again led in money won, with his mounts earning more than $19.4 million.

Dominguez rode Horse of the Year finalist Havre de Grace throughout much of her 2011 campaign, which included Grade 1 victories in the Apple Blossom, Woodward, and Beldame. Other highlights included Grade 1 triumphs aboard Get Stormy in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic; Stacelita in the Beverly D. and Flower Bowl; Grace Hall in the Spinaway Stakes; Gio Ponti in the Shadwell Turf Mile; Aruna in the Spinster; and Hansen in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Hansen’s front-running victory over favored Union Rags gave Dominguez his second Breeders’ Cup triumph, following his victory in 2004 aboard Better Talk Now in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

It was not just in major stakes races that Dominguez excelled. He again led the deep New York Racing Association jockey colony in wins and earnings for the year, capturing meet titles at Aqueduct in the winter and fall and at Belmont Park during the spring-summer meet.

This marks the third consecutive year that Venezuelan-born Dominguez has been an Eclipse Award finalist.