Miguel Mena (jockey)

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.

Born(1986-11-06)November 6, 1986

Lima, Peru

DiedOctober 31, 2021(2021-10-31) (aged 34)

Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.

OccupationJockey

SportHorse racing

Quick facts Personal information, Born ...

Jose Miguel Mena Rodriguez

Mena in 2021
Personal information
Born	(1986-11-06)November 6, 1986 Lima, Peru
Died	October 31, 2021(2021-10-31) (aged 34) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Occupation	Jockey
Horse racing career
Sport	Horse racing
Career wins	2,071
Major racing wins
Fayette Stakes (2007) Matt Winn Stakes (2007) Iowa Derby (2008) Sugar Bowl Stakes (2008) Bashford Manor Stakes (2009) Derby Trial Stakes (2009) Sanford Stakes (2009) Mineshaft Handicap (2010) Silverbulletday Stakes (2010) Sorority Stakes (2010) Test Stakes (2010) Tiffany Lass Stakes (2010) Cornhusker Handicap (2011) Stephen Foster Handicap (2011, 2020) Golden Rod Stakes (2012) Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (2012) River City Handicap (2012) Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (2012) Iroquois Stakes (2012) Colonel E.R. Bradley Handicap (2012) Hal's Hope Stakes (2013) Chicago Handicap (2013) Louisiana Derby (2015) West Virginia Governor's Stakes (2016)
Racing awards
Leading rider at Ellis Park (2006) Leading rider at Presque Isle Downs (2007)
Significant horses
Backtalk, Champagne d'Oro, Pool Play, Uncaptured

Close

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]