Jose Miguel Mena Rodriguez (November 6, 1986 – October 31, 2021) was a Peruvian-born American jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing who had been competing in the United States from 2003 until his death.[1] He won his 2,000th race in 2020.[2] He was from a Peruvian family involved in horse racing. His father Jose is a retired jockey.
Mena's first horse racing related memory was of Grozny winning the Derby Nacional.[3]
Mena won two Grade 1 races in his career, and in 2015 he swept the major three-year-old stakes races at the Fair Grounds aboard International Star.[1]
Mena was killed on October 31, 2021, when he was struck by the driver of a vehicle as a pedestrian on Interstate 64 in Louisville, Kentucky.[4]
Year-end charts
| Chart (2007–present) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2007 | 37 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2008 | 33 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2009 | 44 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2010 | 48 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2011 | 55 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2012 | 33 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2013 | 34 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2014 | 49 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2015 | 57 |
References
- ^ a b Johnson, Krista (1 November 2021). "Kentucky Derby jockey Miguel Mena dies after being struck by vehicle on interstate". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ Rees, Jennie. "'It has paid off': Jockey Miguel Mena gets 2,000th career win at Ellis Park". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
- ^ "En el diván: Paciente de hoy: Miguel Mena" (PDF). El Crack. Nov 26, 2020. p. 21. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
- ^ "Miguel Mena Dies in Tragic Accident". The Blood-Horse. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
