Imagine achieving your lifelong dream, only to immediately shift your focus to how you can do even better. That's the mindset of French-born jockey Flavien Prat, who not only won his first Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 2024 but followed it up with a back-to-back victory in 2025. But here's where it gets fascinating: Prat's relentless drive for improvement didn't just lead to another award—it propelled him into a record-breaking year that has the racing world buzzing.
When Prat first clinched the Eclipse Award, he wasn’t basking in the glory. Instead, he was already looking ahead. “You put so much work into it, and you don’t even think about what could happen next,” he explained. “You just move on to the next year and try to get better, have a good season.” This forward-thinking approach paid off spectacularly in 2025, as Prat not only defended his title but also set career-best numbers in wins and earnings.
“It’s rewarding,” Prat said of his second Eclipse Award. “I’m very satisfied. I had the chance to ride incredible horses all season long. It was definitely a standout year.” And what a year it was. Competing in a staggering 1,256 races—a career-high—Prat secured 309 wins, ranking him fourth nationally. He also became just the second jockey in history to earn over $40 million in purse money in a single season, joining the ranks of Irad Ortiz Jr., who achieved the same feat in 2025. But here’s the kicker: despite earning a remarkable $40,460,428, Prat fell just $37,419 short of Ortiz for the top spot in North America.
“I don’t want to be disappointed,” Prat reflected. “It’s been a very good season, if not the best I’ve ever had.” And he’s right. Where Prat truly shined was on the biggest stages. He led all North American riders with 13 Grade 1 wins and 46 graded stakes victories, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. His Breeders’ Cup triumphs with Splendora in the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) and Nysos in the Dirt Mile (G1) were just the tip of the iceberg. Remarkably, his 13 Grade 1 wins came on 13 different horses, proving his versatility and skill.
And this is the part most people miss: Prat’s success isn’t just about numbers. Often called a “gun for hire,” he rode at 17 different North American tracks in 2025, winning at 16 of them. Based primarily in New York, he earned leading rider titles at Aqueduct Racetrack, Keeneland, and Pimlico Race Course. “I enjoy riding on different tracks with different riders,” Prat said. “The chance to ride great horses all over the country—that’s what keeps me motivated.”
His achievements didn’t go unnoticed. On November 2, he tied the New York Racing Association record for most wins on a single card with seven victories. And on June 27, he reached a career milestone by riding his 2,000th North American winner.
Perhaps the most compelling praise comes from his fiercest competitor, five-time Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz Jr. “I have a ton of respect for Flavien,” Ortiz said. “He’s a professional both on and off the track. We compete hard but keep it respectful. I think the rivalry pushes us both to do a little extra. He’s really good.”
Prat echoed the sentiment, calling Ortiz a “benchmark” and expressing admiration for their competitive yet respectful relationship. “To be able to compete with him and against him is great,” Prat said. “I have nothing but respect for him.”
But here’s the controversial question: Are Prat and Ortiz elevating horse racing to new heights, or are they setting an unattainable standard for future jockeys? Ortiz himself hinted at their impact: “It’s amazing what we’ve both been doing the last few years. Maybe we’re helping the sport go to another level, and that feels great.”
As racing fans, we’re witnessing a special era of competition between these two titans. But what do you think? Are Prat and Ortiz redefining excellence, or are they creating a standard that’s too high for others to reach? Let us know in the comments—this is a debate worth having!
