Rafael Bejarano

Top Associated Horses: Line of David, Karelian, Crisp, Bourbon Bay, Rail Trip, Setsuko

2009 Record: (1129-240-207-176)

2009 Earnings: $12,403,993

2009 Win %: 21% In-The-Money %: 55%

Height: 5’2”
Weight: 105
Born: June 23, 1982, Arequipa, Peru
Residence: Louisville, Ky.
Family: Single ... He is the only member of his family involved in racing.
Through Sept. 5, 2009, has won 172 races from 785 mounts and his mounts have earned $8,609,599 to rank 7th among all North American jockeys.
Has had two Breeders' Cup winners, Intercontinental in the 2005 Filly & Mare Turf and Ginger Punch in the 2007 Distaff.
Top mounts in 2009 include Papa Clem (G2 Arkansas Derby); Soldier's Dancer (Sunshine Million Turf); In Summation (G3 El Conejo Hdcp.), Tuscan Evening (Ire) (G2 Royal Heroine Mile S. and Redondo Beach S.); Grazen (G3 Affirmed Hdcp) and Foxysox (G3 Tuzla Hdcp).
Missed most of the 2009 Del Mar meet after being involved in a serious accident on opening day. He suffered fractures of the jaw, nose and orbital bones and had to undergo surgery. He returned to the races on August 28 only to be sidelined again briefly with a thumb injury six days later ... He is currently riding with a protective mask.
Became just the third rider in history to sweep the riding titles at all three major Southern California tracks in 2008. Only Chris McCarron and Patrick Valenzuela have also won the Santa Anita Winter/Spring, Hollywood Park Spring/Summer, Del Mar Summer and Hollywood Park Fall Meets in the same year.
After riding successfully in Kentucky and New York, relocated to southern California at the conclusion of the Churchill meet in ’07 to ride first call on Bobby Frankel's horses. The move worked out well for him as he captured the jockey's title on the final day with four wins.
He attended the races in Peru, “fell in love” and enrolled in the nation’s riding school, where he stayed for 1 1/2 years. He groomed horses to earn the money for the school ... Began riding in his native land on Dec. 8, 1999, and won the apprentice title at Hippodromo de Monterrico.
Immigrated to the United States in May 2002 with the help of trainer Dante Zanelli Sr., settling at River Downs. Won his first race in the U.S. aboard John Bobby at River Downs on July 10, 2002.
Had a remarkable two days at Turfway on March 12-13, 2004. Won a track-record seven races the first day and then five more the next on his way to a track record for most wins in a meet (150).
Led all North American jockeys with 455 victories in 2004.
Won 2005 riding titles at Keeneland fall and Churchill spring and fall meets, which contributed to his fourth place ranking by earnings in North America. Also earned titles at Turfway Park and Ellis Park that year.
Escaped serious injuries on closing day of the 2007 Saratoga meet after sustaining significant ones the last two years. During the 2005 meet, he sustained a hairline fracture and ligament damage to his right ankle in a starting gate accident and in 2006, he cracked his ribs.
Won the 1,000th race of his career in the first race at Keeneland on Oct. 14, 2005.
On April 8, 2006, in just his second visit to Santa Anita, Bejarano won six races on the card ... Won five races at Churchill Downs on July 8, 2006.

Breeders' Cup Record

Starts	1st	2nd	3rd	Earnings
28	2	1	3	$2,898,150

2008	Classic	Smooth Air	7th
	Dirt Mile	Slew's Tiznow	10th
	Filly & Mare Sprint	Zaftig	3rd
	Juvenile	Square Eddie	2nd
	Juvenile Fillies	Black Magic Mama	8th
	Juvenile Fillies Turf	Emmy Darling	5th
	Juvenile Turf	Grand Adventure	10th
	Ladies' Classic	Ginger Punch	6th
	Marathon	Big Booster	3rd
	Mile	Precious Kitten	4th