Flavien Prat captured the Bill Shoemaker Award following his 3 victories at Keeneland

The French jockey shone throughout the weekend to claim the prestigious award for the second time in his career. He tied in victories with Ireland's Ryan Moore, but earned the title by virtue of superior place finishes across the remaining events

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (From a special correspondent).— Flavien Prat once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the elite jockeys in world racing. With three victories across the two days of the 2026 Breeders' Cup held Friday and Saturday at Keeneland, the French native captured the Bill Shoemaker Award for the second time in his career, an honor reserved for the most outstanding rider of the World Championships.

It was no easy victory, as Ryan Moore also secured three wins, triggering the tiebreaker system that factors in second-,third-, and fourth-place finishes on a 10-3-1 point scale.

That was where Prat established the decisive margin to claim the trophy, which he had previously won in 2024.

His haul began on Friday when he guided Hughes (Into Mischief) to a dominant victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), the signature event of the opening program and a defining contest for 2-year-old males.

On Saturday, he shone again aboard Ways and Means (Practical Joke), who powered clear by 6 1/4 lengths in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). Prat saved ground along the rail, found clear running room at the precise moment, and allowed the Chad Brown trainee to unleash her devastating acceleration.

His third victory presented a completely different challenge. In the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), riding Further Ado(Gun Runner), he was forced to drive to the absolute limit to prevail by a nose over Owen Almighty (Speightstown) in a thrilling finish.

Three victories, three distinct tactical trips, and one common thread: an uncanny ability to read the race and make decisive moves when it mattered most.

Ryan Moore, for his part, also delivered a stellar performance to stand as one of the standout figures of the event.

The Irish jockey won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) with Sun Goddess (Sioux Nation), the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) with Haffner (Justify), and the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) with Benvenuto Cellini(Frankel), the latter coming after a masterclass in patient riding from off the pace. All three champions are conditioned by Aidan O'Brien for the Coolmore partnership.

Moore had previously captured the Bill Shoemaker Award in 2015 and 2022, but was forced to settle for sharing the overall win column this time around.

Another prominent actor was José Ortiz, who capped the weekend with a pair of Grade 1 triumphs. He first scored aboard Kathynmarissa (American Pharoah) in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) before guiding Nitrogen(Medaglia d'Oro) to victory in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), recovering admirably from an early spill on Friday.

The award presented to Prat bears the name of one of American racing's supreme legends. Bill Shoemaker amassed 8,833 career wins across a career spanning over four decades, including four editions of the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Among his most storied achievements was his triumph in the 1987 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at age 56, when he piloted Ferdinand (Nijinsky) to victory at Hollywood Park.

Established in 2003, the award's roll of honor features all-time greats like Garrett Gomez, John Velazquez, Mike Smith, and Irad Ortiz Jr., the latter a six-time winner.

For Prat, the 2026 edition stood as another firm endorsement of his world-class talent. Amid a field stacked with global riding stars, the Frenchman found a way to distinguish himself—not merely through his victories, but through the remarkable consistency that ultimately tilted the scales in his favor.