Birthdate - Feb. 27, 1970
Birthplace - Maurice, LA
Height - 5 feet, 3 inches
Weight - 116 pounds
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
* Elected to racing’s Hall of Fame in 2004.
* Won his first Belmont Stakes, first Travers, and first Jockey Club Gold Cup in 2009 aboard 3-year-old champion Summer Bird.
* Twice came to the brink of winning the Triple Crown: in 2008 aboard Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown, and in 1998 aboard Real Quiet.
* Rode Wood Memorial winner Fusaichi Pegasus to victory in the 2000 Kentucky Derby.
* Won two Eclipse Awards as a journeyman (1989, 1992), and one as an apprentice (1987).
* At age 25 became the youngest rider to hit 3,000 career victories when he rode Maisonsaire to victory at Santa Anita on April 16, 1995.
INTRODUCTION TO RACING
* Desormeaux’s father owned a bush track in Lafayette, La.
FIRST WINNER
* Miss Tavern, July 13, 1986, Evangeline Downs
MAJOR NEW YORK STAKES WINS
Carter: Wild Rush (1994)
Empire Classic: Dr. V’s Magic (2007)
Jockey Club Gold Cup: Summer Bird (2009)
Metropolitan H.: Corinthian (2007)
Mother Goose: Lakeway (1994)
Peter Pan: Casino Drive (2008)
Remsen: O’Prado Again (2011)
Test: Leave Me Alone (2005)
Travers: Summer Bird (2009)
Wood Memorial: Fusaichi Pegasus (2000)
Woodward: Premium Tap (2006); Formal Gold (1997)
TRIPLE CROWN AND BREEDERS’ CUP WINS
Kentucky Derby: Big Brown (2008); Fusaichi Pegasus (2000); Real Quiet (1998)
Preakness Stakes: Big Brown (2008); Real Quiet (1998)
Belmont Stakes: Summer Bird (2009)
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile: Corinthian (2007)
Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic: Unrivaled Belle (2010)
Breeders’ Cup Sprint: Desert Stormer (1995)
Breeders’ Cup Turf: Kotashaan (1993)