Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Bio: According to the Kentucky Derby, Leparoux grew up in France in a family involved in horse racing. His father, Robert Leparoux, was a former jockey and later became a trainer. The younger Leparoux has seven Breeders Cup victories. In addition to Classic Empire, some of the other top horses that Lerparoux has ridden are Nownownow, Forever Together, She Be Wild, Informed Decision, Einstein and Tepin. According to America's Best Racing, he has earned $139,356,779 over his career and $4,393,963 in 2017 heading into the Kentucky Derby. He has won over 2,000 races in his career but is looking for his first Kentucky Derby victory. He is married to Shea Mitchell, the daughter of Southern California horse trainer Mike Mitchell. Mike Mitchell passed away in 2015 after battling brain cancer. The couple has one son, Mitchell, who was born in 2015. (Getty)
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Classic Empire: Meet the Horse, Jockey, Trainer & Owner