Luis Saez reached 4000 career victories, and Saratoga was once again the stage

The Panamanian jockey reached a extraordinary milestone by guiding Rothschild to victory this Saturday; at 34 years old, he reflected on the long journey from his humble beginnings and expressed special gratitude to his family and Kiaran McLaughlin

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Luis Saez reached one of those numbers that serve to measure a career on Saturday: 4,000 victories. The Panamanian hit the milestone at Saratoga Race Course, guiding Rothschild to a wire-to-wire victory in the second race of the card.

The 5-year-old son of Uncle Mo, trained by Norm Casse, broke from the inside post, and Luis Saez did not hesitate, taking control from the start in the 2,200-meter allowance optional claiming test on the turf, setting fractions of 24.24, 48.66, and 1:16.16.

In the stretch, Rothschild first turned back the challenge of Arkhipov (Munnings) and then held off the charge of Asbury Park (Frankel)—both trained by Chad Brown—to score by a half-length in 2:15.61.

"I just tried to be confident. I know we're going to keep winning races. I try to do the right thing with every horse I ride and win every race I can," Luis Saez said after reaching the historic milestone.

"I’m very thankful. It means a lot to me. It's hard work, always traveling back and forth. I want to thank my wife Andrea, who is always with me, all my family, and Mr. Kiaran McLaughlin, who works so hard every morning. Winning 4,000 races is something I never imagined," he added, referring to Kiaran McLaughlin, his agent.

Born 34 years ago in Panama City, Luis Saez graduated from the Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey Academy, though his early steps were far from easy.

"I came out of jockey school and everyone was winning at the time, but it took me three months to get my first win. It was pretty tough, but after winning that race... thank God I'm here today," he recalled.

His first North American victory came on August 20, 2009, aboard Fearless Honor (Honor Glide) at Calder Race Course. Since then, he has built a career filled with major triumphs.

He won the Belmont Stakes (G1) twice, with Essential Quality (Tapit) in 2021 and Dornoch (Good Magic) in 2024, the latter right at Saratoga. On Essential Quality, he also captured the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and the 2021 Travers Stakes (G1).

He had previously won the Travers in 2013 aboard Will Take Charge (Unbridled's Song), a partner with whom he also celebrated victories in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and the Clark Handicap (G1).

"There are so many great memories here. Dornoch ran his first race at Saratoga and then won the Belmont here. It's something I'll never forget, and it will stay with us forever," he noted.

He was also teamed with the popular Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed), with whom he earned four graded stakes wins, including the 2022 Jaipur (G1) and back-to-back editions of the Fourstardave (G1). Internationally, one of his career highlights arrived in 2021, when he guided Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) to victory in the Dubai World Cup (G1).

That same year, he also took home the Saratoga riding title with 64 wins.

"It’s very special. This is a place where everyone wants to be. It’s a very competitive meet, and I’m very grateful to be here," Luis Saez concluded.

Saratoga, the backdrop for many of the finest moments of his career, ultimately proved to be the perfect venue for Luis Saez to join the elite club of jockeys with 4,000 wins.