Asmussen, Gomez, Zayat top 2008 earnings lists

Steve Asmussen, Garrett Gomez and Zayat Stables, LLC, head the

individual lists of the leading trainers, jockeys and owners,

respectively, by North American earnings in 2008, according to final

statistics released by Equibase Company. The year-end compilations are distributed annually by Equibase and

include results from Thoroughbred racing in North America only.

Big Brown led all Thoroughbreds in 2008 with North American earnings of

$3,576,700. Following Big Brown was Raven's Pass with $2,700,000 and

Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) with $2,090,580.

Asmussen, who previously topped the trainers' list in 2003, won a

single-season record 622 races from 3,002 starts for North American

earnings of $24,235,247 in 2008. Runner-up was Todd Pletcher, who was

the leading trainer by North American earnings each year from 2004-2007.

Pletcher-trained horses won 208 races from 1,090 starts for earnings of

$13,784,546 in 2008.

Completing the list of top 10 trainers by North American earnings in

2008 were: Richard Dutrow Jr., $12,011,668 (173 wins/709 starts); Robert

Frankel, $11,702,123 (93/483); William Mott, $10,342,544 (120/798);

Scott Lake, $9,343,609 (421/1,918); Jerry Hollendorfer, $8,637,578

(282/1,161); Kiaran McLaughlin, $8,152,865 (131/551); Gary Contessa,

$7,482,466 (178/1,287); and John Sadler, $7,355,886 (125/652).

Garrett Gomez, with earnings of $23,344,351, topped the North American

leading jockeys' list for a third consecutive year in 2008. He rode the

winners of 214 races from 1,023 mounts. Rafael Bejarano finished second,

with 266 wins from 1,290 mounts and earnings of $16,439,729.

Rounding out the list of top 10 jockeys by North American earnings in

2008 were: Kent Desormeaux, $15,591,897 (171 wins/999 mounts); Edgar

Prado, $15,132,119 (215/1,211); John Velazquez, $14,903,211 (215/1,177);

Ramon Dominguez, $14,560,866 (310/1,321); Alan Garcia, $14,468,338

(231/1,282); Robby Albarado, $14,190,917 (250/1,240); Eibar Coa,

$12,410,747 (256/1,412); and Javier Castellano, $12,142,962 (157/1,005).

Zayat Stables, LLC, won 116 races from 740 starts and earned $6,883,902

in North America during 2008 to lead all owners. Runner-up was Stronach

Stables, which won 114 races from 466 starts for earnings of $6,677,124.

Completing the list of top 10 owners by North American earnings in 2008

were: Augustin Stable, $5,156,879 (60 wins/296 starts); Darley Stable,

$4,745,650 (55/258); Maggi Moss, $4,253,963 (210/721); Godolphin Racing

LLC, $4,158,944 (27/99); Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S. Moss, $4,148,872

(26/125); Heiligbrodt Racing Stable, $4,004,605 (122/627); WinStar Farm

LLC, $3,851,304 (44/234); and Juddmonte Farms, Inc., $3,575,686

(18/100).

In addition to the official North American racing leaders' lists,

Equibase also provides a second set of leaders' lists that includes the

results of the Dubai World Cup card from March 29, 2008, at Nad Al Sheba

Racecourse. Including these international earnings, Curlin was the leading

Thoroughbred with earnings of $5,294,000. Steve Asmussen

remained the leading trainer with earnings of $27,835,247, Garrett Gomez

the leading jockey with earnings of $23,564,351 and Zayat Stables, LLC,

the leading owner with earnings of $6,883,902.