Luis Saez

Luis Saez (born May 19, 1992) is a Panamanian jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. Saez rode Maximum Security to finish first in the 2019 Kentucky Derby but was subsequently disqualified due to interference. The two later won the world's richest race, the $20,000,000 Saudi Cup, in 2020. Saez won his first Breeders' Cup race in 2020 and first American Classic in 2021, both with champion Essential Quality.

Background Saez was born on May 19, 1992, in Panama City, Panama. He trained to be a jockey at the Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey Training Academy in Panama. Saez dedicated his win in the 2021 Belmont Stakes to his brother.

Saez rides predominantly on the New York racing circuit and calls Belmont Park his second home.

Career Saez earned his first win in the United States on August 20, 2009, aboard Fearless Honor at Calder Race Track.

In 2013, Saez scored his first Grade I win aboard Will Take Charge in the Travers Stakes. The two also won the Pennsylvania Derby and Clark Handicap, and finished second in the 2013 Breeders' Cup Classic. Will Take Charge earned the Eclipse Award as that year's Champion three-year-old colt. Saez was subsequently suspended for 15 days for "failure to control his mount". The two later won the world's richest race, the $20,000,000 Saudi Cup, in 2020,

In 2020, Saez partnered with Essential Quality to win in the Breeders' Futurity and Breeders' Cup Juvenile, earning Saez his first win at the Breeders' Cup and the colt the Eclipse Award for champion two-year-old colt. In 2021, the two teamed up to win the Blue Grass and Belmont Stakes, the latter being Saez's first win of an American Triple Crown race.

On August 22, 2026, Saez won his 4,000th career race in North America at Saratoga Race Course.

Ranking North American Rank by earningsby number of wins 2009 172 20105819 20113413 2012365 2013936 20141764 2015716 2016914 201787 201888 201974 202033 202133