Steve Asmussen becomes first coach to win 10,000 thoroughbred races in North America when Bet he’s ready won the fifth race at Oaklawn Park February 20th.
Asmussen also has two more wins overseas, including make for curly won at Dubai World Cup 2008 (G1).
A Hall of Famer, Asmussen became the most winning coach in North American history on August 7, 2021, when faucet win a maiden race at Racecourse Saratoga, giving him his 9,446th win and pushing the late Dale Baird down to second place. Since then, Asmussen has continued to win races by a high margin, getting closer and closer to the latest milestone.
A 57-year-old resident of Arlington, Texas, Asmussen recorded his first win in 1986 at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico with Victory’s Halo. It was the trainer’s only win in 1986 after 15 starts, and his total horse income for the year was just $2,324.
But those numbers would add up, and 10 years later he scored his original graded bet win when Valid Expectation won the Derby Test Bet (G3) at Churchill Downs. He currently has 305 bet wins graded through the February 20 race.
The trainer has twice won the Eclipse Award as outstanding coach, doing so in 2008-09, when his stables won more than 600 races a year.
Steve Asmussen achieved LEGEND STATUS today as the first North American coach in history to reach 10,000 CAREER WINNERS! We’re honored that he made it at OAKLAWN. To celebrate, we will be donating $10,000 in Asmussen’s name: $5000 to (PDJF) and $5000 to (ATRRF)! pic.twitter.com/GivGCxyjSt
— Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (@OaklawnRacing) February 20, 2023
Asmussen has long credited his staff—among them longtime assistants Darren Fleming and Scott Blasi—for their contribution to his success, as well as the support of his family. He learned about the racing business from his parents, Keith and Marilyn, who herd, own, train and still operate the Asmussen Horse Center and El Primero Training Center in Laredo, Texas. Under the tutelage of Keith, a former jockey, and Marilyn, he and his brother Cash became horsemen at a young age.
His wife, Julie and sons Keith, Darren and Erik, also provided constant support throughout his days away from home as he looked after his many horse divisions around the country. His wife and sons were present when Asmussen overtook Baird in the record books on August 7, 2021. Keith, his eldest son, is now a jockey.
Steve Asmussen and family after becoming America’s Most Winning Coach
Asmussen’s horses have earned more than $405 million in North America, trailing only eight-time Eclipse Award winner and Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher with $452 million.
He holds many training positions at Ellis . Park, Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots, Keeneland, Lonely Star Park, Monmouth Park, Oaklawn Park, Remington Park, Retama . Park, Sunland Parkand Churchill Downs, where he is the track’s all-time winning coach.
In honor of Asmussen’s achievement, Oaklawn said it will donate $10,000 to the charity named after him, of which $5,000 will go to the Foundation for the Permanent Disability and $5,000 to Arkansas Purebred Retirement and Retirement Fund.
In addition to his personal accomplishments, other highlights of Asmussen’s career include winning the 2007 and 2009 Preakness Stakes (G1) with Curlin and Rachel Alexandra respectively, and 2016 Belmont Stakes introduced by NYRA Bets (G1) with Creator . Asmussen has won eight Breeders’ Cup races, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in 2007 with Curlin and again in 2017 with gunman .
The Kentucky Derby is one of the few races that has eluded him. He almost won the Race for the Roses in 2022 when epicenter leading until caught in the final steps by a late long shot rich attack .
Saddle fabric at Asmussen warehouse ahead of Breeders’ Cup 2022
