Concepcion Wins Eclipse as Apprentice Jockey

Having topped his counterparts by wins and earnings, Axel Concepcion is the winner of the 2023 Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice jockey.

The 18-year-old Puerto Rican native got off to a quick start at Camarero Race Track, beginning his riding career Jan. 1 and winning in his first two rides. By Jan. 8, he placed in his first stakes, the $53,140 Clasico Eugenio Maria de Hostos Stakes at Camarero, piloting Copa de Oro  to a third-place finish.

Stateside, he won with his first mount at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Jan. 19 while still riding predominantly in Puerto Rico.

By the end of February, Concepcion settled into the Mid-Atlantic region. While primarily based in Maryland, the apprentice also frequented Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and Parx Racing, among other tracks. He was leading rider at Laurel Park's spring meet. In November, Concepcion moved his tack to Kentucky where he rode at Churchill Downs and Turfway Park.

Concepcion finished 14th in wins amongst North American jockeys with 199 despite missing time with careless riding suspensions in the fall. He won with 20% of his 1,005 mounts. His 160 seconds and 159 thirds accounted for 52% in the money and earnings of $5,179,154.

Rare for an apprentice jockey, Concepcion rode in 19 stakes races at six tracks. Horses carrying apprentice jockeys do not get weight breaks in stakes races. Concepcion earned his first stakes victory Aug. 19 in the $75,000 Find Stakes at Laurel Park aboard Field Pass . He also placed in two stakes at Timonium.