Leonard off to a solid start; will have first stakes ride in Ed Brown

Killian Leonard came from Europe to begin riding in Kentucky this fall. After a good start, he has the opportunity to ride his first stakes race in this country on closing weekend at Churchill Downs, and then plans to base his tack at Turfway Park when the circuit moves to that track on Dec. 4.

Leonard, 26, began his career in his native Ireland. He rode his first winner in 2015, and has 120 career winners, according to Equineline statistics. He most recently had been a stable rider for Donnacha O’Brien before he “decided to come to the U.S. to give it a go,” agent Frank Lyons said.

“He’s off to a good start,” Lyons said. “He’s a young kid, he’s very determined, and, like anyone, he deserves a chance, and he’s getting a chance.”

Leonard has ridden three winners from seven mounts at the Churchill Downs fall meet, in addition to riding a handful of races at Keeneland and Mountaineer. Those include Wisconsin Gal, a 2 3/4-length maiden special weight winner on Nov. 2 for trainer Paul McEntee. The filly is entered in the $225,000 Ed Brown Stakes for 2-year-old sprinters on Saturday.

Leonard’s other winners are Streaking for John Ennis in a maiden claiming race Nov. 7, and Baytown Boujee for McEntee in a Nov. 14 maiden claimer. All his Churchill mounts have come for those two barns.

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