A monumental record was set during the summer of 2025 in Thoroughbred horse racing

This record is first reported by Thoroughbred racing historian Gary Dougherty. Follow him on X

National Museum Racing Hall of Fame Jockey John Velazquez passed another Hall of Fame member Mike Smith for the most Grade 1 Stakes wins when he collected his 230th on June 8 at Saratoga in the Jaipur S. riding Ag Bullet for trainer Richard Baltas.

Velazquez started 2025 trailing Mike Smith 229-227 in Grade 1s. Smith garnered number 229 in the Sept. 28, 2024 California Crown S. at Santa Anita aboard Subsanador (ARG).

Velazquez has won seven Grade 1s this year beginning in June:

June 6 (Sar)

#228 – Ogden Phipps S., Dorth Vader

#229 – New York S., She Feels Pretty

June 8 (Sar)

#230 – Jaipur S., Ag Bullet

August 16 (WO)

#231 – E. P. Taylor S., She Feels Pretty

August 30 (Dmr)

#232 – Pacific Classic S., Fierceness

August 31 (Sar)

#233 – Jockey Club Gold Cup S., Antiquarian

September 1 (Sar)

#234 – Hopeful S., Ted Noffey

Smith picked up his 230th career Grade 1 on September 6 at Del Mar riding Bottle of Rouge for trainer Bob Baffert in the Del Mar Debutante. It was Smith’s first in 2025.

Just last Saturday (Sept. 27), Mr. Smith notched his 231st in the 44th running of the Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita. Smith was aboard Nevada Beach for Baffert.

Retired rider Jerry Bailey was the longtime leader in Grade 1 victories with his No. 216 coming in the 2005 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park. Bailey was aboard I’m the Tiger, trained by Bobby Frankel. Smith officially passed Bailey when we won number 217 back in 2020 riding Honor A. P. for trainer John Shirreffs to the top spot in the Santa Anita Derby.

As we head into October 2025:

234 – Velazquez (No. 1, 1995 Belmont Turf Classic, Turk Passer, Scotty Schulhofer)

231 – Smith (No. 1, 1990 Wood Memorial, Thirty Six Red, Nick Zito)

The grading system was established in 1973 in the U.S. to help breeders compare the quality of bloodstock. A horse’s performance in these events adds “black-type” status to their record, significantly increasing their value for future breeding or sale. Both Graded stakes contested in U.S. and Canada are used.