Brown, Irad Ortiz set single-season records in 2019

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and trainer Chad Brown set single-year records for purse money won in their respective categories while owner Seth Klarman shows up twice in the top six in purse money won in 2019, according to statistics provided by Equibase.

Ortiz totaled a North American record $34,109,019 in purse money won in 2019, smashing the previous mark of $28,120,809 set by Javier Castellano in 2015. Ortiz led all jockeys in wins with 324. Ortiz won 11 Grade 1 stakes – tied for second with John Velazquez – in 2019, five aboard Bricks and Mortar including the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Ortiz also won the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Vino Rosso.

In terms of purse money won, Ortiz was followed by his brother Jose ($27,259,006), Castellano ($25,053,713), Joel Rosario ($24,913,212), and Flavien Prat ($19,693,267).

In terms of wins, Ortiz was followed by Luis Quinones (314), Paco Lopez (283), Jose Ortiz (274), and Luis Saez (274).

For the fourth consecutive year, Brown led all trainers in North America in purse money won, though his $31,112,144 earned in 2019 was the first time a trainer surpassed the $30 million mark. Brown won 20 Grade 1 stakes with 11 individual horses led by Bricks and Mortar, who won five Grade 1 stakes as part of a 6-for-6 campaign. He also trained Cambier Parc, Guarana, Rushing Fall, Sistercharlie, and Uni, all of whom won two Grade 1 stakes in 2019.

Following Brown in earnings were Steve Asmussen ($27,487,885), Todd Pletcher ($17,904,526), Brad Cox ($17,547,123), and Mark Casse ($16,246,643).

Karl Broberg was the leading trainer in wins with 547, followed by Asmussen (433), Robertino Diodoro (258), Cox (233), and Brown (222).

Broberg’s End Zone Athletics led all owners in wins with 280. Joseph Besecker was next with 199, followed by Ron Paolucci (192), Bruno Schickedanz (153), and Mike Sisk’s M and M Racing (111).

Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables and partner William Lawrence led all stables in purse money won with $8,178,845. This was the final year of that partnership. On his own, in 2019, Klarman’s Klaravich Stables finished sixth in purse money with $4,968,082.

Calumet Farm ($6,551,311), Gary Barber ($6,040,187), Hronis Racing ($5,632,611), and Godolphin Racing ($5,153,502) finished second through fifth in stable earnings.

Bricks and Mortar led all horses in purse money won with $6,723,650. Five horses – Anna’s Bandit, Heaven’s Whisper, Peekacho, Phonemyposseagain, and Timely Prize – all won nine races, tops among North American Thoroughbreds.