Don Brumfield

Biography

Don Brumfield was 16 years old when he rode his first winner in 1954 at Monmouth Park, a horse trained by his father, Edgar Brumfield.

Brumfield rode the Kentucky circuit for the majority of his career. He won more races at both Churchill Downs and Keeneland than any other rider at the time of his retirement. Brumfield won 16 riding titles at Keeneland — including 10 in a row — and 12 titles at Churchill. At the Louisville track, Brumfield won a total of 925 races, a record until surpassed by fellow Hall of Famer Pat Day. He also held the Keeneland record of 716 wins until eclipsed by Day

In 1966, Brumfield won the Kentucky Oaks aboard Native Street and then won the Kentucky Derby the next day with Kauai King. Brumfield and Kauai King went on to win the Preakness Stakes.

Brumfield rode several distaff champions, including Old Hat, Gold Beauty, Our Mims, and Just a Game. Brumfield won seven editions of the Falls City Handicap, five runnings of the Breeders’ Futurity, and three renewals of the Ashland Stakes.

When he retired in 1989, Brumfield had won 4,573 races with purse earnings of more than $43 million.

Achievements

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1966 Kentucky Derby — Kauai King
Won the 1966 Preakness Stakes — Kauai King

Other Highlights

Won 16 riding titles at Keeneland Race Course
Won 12 riding titles at Churchill Downs

Won the Falls City Handicap — 1964, 1969, 1971, 1976, 1982, 1986, 1988
Won the Breeders' Futurity — 1969, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1979
Won the Ashland Stakes — 1974 (both divisions), 1984