Jose A. Santos

Biography

Jose Santos had already been North America’s leading rider in earnings four consecutive years (1986 through 1989) when he reached another career milestone by winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes with champion Funny Cide in 2003. His earnings in 1988 of $14,856,214 were a record at the time and led to Santos winning the Eclipse Award.

Santos also led all New York riders in wins three consecutive years and snapped Hall of Famer Angel Cordero’s streak of 11 consecutive riding titles at Saratoga.

A native of Concepcion, Chile, Santos rode in his native country and Columbia before moving to Florida in 1984. At the time of his retirement in 2007, Santos had won 327 graded stakes and 617 overall stakes.

In addition to Funny Cide, Santos was the regular or frequent rider of standouts such as Hall of Famer Manila and champions Meadow Star, Criminal Type, Chief Bearhart, Fleet Indian, Fly So Free, and Rubiano.

Santos won seven Breeders’ Cup races, including the 2002 Classic aboard Volponi at odds of 43-1. He also won the 1999 Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes with Lemon Drop Kid. Santos retired with 4,083 wins and purse earnings of $187,246,727.

Achievements

Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey — 1988

North America's leading rider in wins — 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 2003 Kentucky Derby — Funny Cide
Won the 2003 Preakness Stakes  Funny Cide
Won the 1999 Belmont Stakes — Lemon Drop KId

Breeders' Cup Highlights

Won the 1986 Turf — Manila
Won the 1987 Juvenile — Success Express
Won the 1989 Mile — Steinlen
Won the 1990 Juvenile — Fly So Free
Won the 1990 Juvenile Fillies — Meadow Star
Won the 1997 Turf — Chief Bearhart
Won the 2002 Classic — Volponi