Erik Asmussen always seemed likely to have a career in racing as the son of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and the nephew of 1979 Eclipse Award-winning apprentice Cash Asmussen.
But the road the 22-year-old native of Arlington, Texas, took to the top of North America’s apprentice ranks was a tad unconventional. He is now an Eclipse Award finalist for outstanding apprentice jockey of 2024.
“I grew up in the game,” Erik Asmussen said. “I always knew I wanted to be in horse racing, whether it was a bloodstock agent to a trainer to just whatever I could get my hands on, and the opportunity presented itself for me to become an owner. I claimed a few cheaper horses – just wanted to be involved in the game more.”
Asmussen would later transition to a riding career. He received a sound foundation in the saddle at a training center owned by his grandparents and went on to find significant success in his rookie year of race riding.
:: Full list of 2024 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories
Asmussen in 2024 led all North American-based apprentices in both wins – with 127 from 793 starts – and mount earnings, with $5,078,150. His first victory came Jan. 5, 2024, at Sam Houston Race Park.
“Something I’m extremely proud about is winning six stakes,” Asmussen said in December. “You don’t get your bug for the stakes races. I also was the leading rider at Lone Star Park, which is the track I grew up at, so to be leading rider there really was a dream come true.”
Asmussen had a four-win day on July 13 at Lone Star, with three of those wins coming in stakes races. He also won stakes at Churchill Downs – taking the $300,000 Bet On Sunshine with Gulfport – and at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Sam Houston.
During the Churchill Downs fall meet, Asmussen was the leading apprentice and also ranked sixth in the overall standings with 12 wins from 65 starts for mount earnings of more than $1 million.
“I’ve always had – been blessed with – fantastic teachers around me, including my uncle, my dad, and my grandpa, who have taught me everything I know,” Asmussen said.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.