After a nation-wide vote among his peers, Julien Leparoux is the winner of the 2026 George Woolf Award, Santa Anita Park announced via press release.The George Woolf Award honors riders whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and for the sport. It has been presented annually by Santa Anita since 1950. As each year's winner is selected by a vote of fellow jockeys, it is one of the most cherished honors given to a rider.Entering Friday, Leparoux has won 3,066 races and tallied purse earnings of more than $206-million. His biggest successes have come at the Breeders' Cup, where he's won seven World Championship races, including three in 2009 when he claimed the Filly & Mare Sprint aboard Informed Decision; the Juvenile Fillies with She Be Wild; and the Dirt Mile with Furthest Land. He was also the regular pilot of the late, great Tepin–the Breeders' Cup Mile victress in 2015 and runner-up in 2016.In 2009, Leparoux also carried another historic moment when he won the Big Cap with Einstein for trainer Helen Pitts, thus far the only time a female trainer has won the Santa Anita Handicap.“This is a proud moment,” said Leparoux, who has been riding in the U.S. since 2005. “This award is so unique and special. To be recognized by my fellow jockeys is really special.”“It was my dream as a child to be jockey. To be able to live your dream for 20 years, and to know that you are respected by your colleagues, it means everything.”Leparoux, the 2006 Eclipse champion apprentice jockey and 2009 Eclipse champion jockey (one of four to win as an apprentice and a journeyman), will be honored with the Woolf Award in a winner's circle ceremony at Santa Anita in April. He currently rides full-time at Turfway Park in Kentucky.The post Julien Leparoux Wins 2026 George Woolf Memorial Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.