Asmussen is 1st North America trainer to reach 11,000 wins

North America record holder Steve Asmussen became the first trainer from the continent to reach 11,000 career wins when 4-year-old filly Beau Soleil rallied for a narrow 8-1 score in a $39,000 allowance sprint Saturday night at Remington Park.

Asmussen began the day with 10,997 victories. The three he needed for the milestone all came at the Oklahoma City track with his son Erik riding the winners. Vestes and Amadora’s Empire won claiming races early in Saturday’s program for the Hall of Famer’s 10,998th and 10,999th victories.

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“I’m extremely proud and grateful to a lot of great help, great owners and great horses,” Asmussen told the track media department. Pablo Ocampo has been Asmussen’s longtime assistant at Remington Park, where the team is leading in its quest for a record-extending 20th training title.

It took Asmussen 2 1/2 years to earn his last 1,000 wins. He reached 10,000 on Feb. 20, 2023, when Bet He’s Ready won a maiden-claiming race at Oaklawn. The 11,000th came Saturday with a Kentucky-bred Alternation filly owned by Oklahoma City attorney Clark Brewster.

Coming down the stretch of the milestone, 6 1/2-furlong race, Beau Soleil was closing fast to the outside of pacesetter Kerry’s Kiss. Erik Asmussen let out another notch of the reins, and Beau Soleil reacted with a surge, just getting past Kerry’s Kiss at the wire to win by a neck.

Turning 60 next month, Asmussen became the North America record holder when he passed the late Dale Baird’s 9,445 victories four years ago at Saratoga. He scored his first win more than 39 years ago with Victory’s Halo at Ruidoso Downs. Asmussen has more than 480 million in career earnings, according to Equibase.

Asmussen still trails Peru trainer Juan Suárez Villarroel, the world-record holder who still is active with 11,232 wins through Friday, according to Página de Turf.