Born:
1982-06-23 Arequipa Arequipa Province, Peru Currently Residing: Louisville KY USA Height: 5â2â Single; he is the only member of his family involved in racing. Notes: Rafael Bejarano was greatly attracted by horse racing and to feel the warmth of this game, he enrolled in the nationâs riding school. Within a short period he earned reputation by winning the title of apprenticeship at Hippodromo de Monterrico. During May 2002, he immigrated to the United States and settled in at River Downs with the patronage of trainer Dante Zanelli Sr. Rafael Bejarano led all North American jockeys with 455 victories in 2004. He earned his first win on July 10th in the same year at River Downs in Cincinnati and started preparing himself for the bigger events in Kentucky and on the New York Racing Association Circuit. He won 2005 riding titles at Keeneland fall and Churchill spring and fall meets; this helped him earn the fourth place ranking in North America. During the 2005 meet at Saratoga, Bejarano sustained hairline fracture and ligament damage to his right ankle near the starting gate and was sidelined for almost a month. Rafael made a landmark by winning the 1000th race of his career in the first at Keeneland on October 14, 2005. April 8, 2006 was Bejarano\\\\\\\'s second visit to Santa Anita; he won six races on the card and five races at Churchill Downs on July 8, 2006. In 2007, he rode Dominican to victory in Blue Grass Stakes. In 2008, he won the Track Meet at Santa Anita. Total wins amount to 67. Rafael Bejarano galloped horses to win in Del Mar meet and Hollywood Park. |
| Year | Races Run | Wins | Place | Show | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 327 | 68 | 56 | 62 | - |
| 2010 | 1292 | 310 | 248 | 178 | - |
| 2009 | 1033 | 217 | 190 | 163 | - |
| 2008 | 1290 | 266 | 252 | 208 | - |
| 2007 | 1469 | 241 | 244 | 183 | - |
| 2006 | 1481 | 275 | 273 | 228 | - |
| 2005 | 1346 | 264 | 254 | 204 | - |
| 2004 | 1922 | 455 | 356 | 279 | - |
| 2003 | 1440 | 260 | 201 | 191 | - |
| American Classics / Breeders' Cup wins:- Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (2005) Breeders' Cup Distaff (2007) |
| Major Racing Wins:- Alcibiades Stakes (2004) WEBN Stakes (2004) Fall Highweight Handicap(2004) Woodford County Stakes (2004, 2005, 2006) Lane\'s End Breeders\' Futurity (2004) Phoenix Stakes (2004, 2006) Kentucky Cup Classic Handicap (2005) Carter Handicap (2005) Fred W. Hooper Handicap (2005, 2006) Pennsylvania Derby (2005) Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (2005) San Felipe Stakes (2005) Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (2005) Bashford Manor Stakes (2006) Derby Trial (2006) Mrs. Revere Stakes (2006) Suwannee River Handicap (2006) Rampart Handicap (2006, 2007) Blue Grass Stakes (2007) John C. Mabee Handicap (2007) Rushaway Stakes (2007) Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (2007) Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf (2007) Old Hat Stakes (2007) Maid of the Mist Stakes (2007) Monrovia Handicap (2007) Honorable Miss Handicap (2007) Best Pal Stakes (2008) Sunshine Millions Distaff (2008) Las Virgenes Stakes (2008) Santa Maria Handicap (2008) Lone Star Derby (2008) Hollywood Breeders\' Cup Oaks (2008) Ogden Phipps Handicap (2008) Eddie Read Handicap (2008) Breeders\' Futurity Stakes (2008) Eddie Logan Stakes (2008) La Habra Stakes (2008) Tuzla Handicap (2009) |
| Racing Awards:- United States Champion Jockey by wins (2004) |
| Top Associated Horses:- Papa Clem, Soldier's Dancer, Matto Mondo, Waveline, Bootleg Annie, Pretty Unusual |
| He won the 1,000th race of his career in the at Keeneland in 2005. |