Weston Hamilton has garnered the Eclipse Award after leading all apprentice jockeys with 118 wins and earnings of $3.4 million in 2018. The 20-year-old son of journeyman rider Steve Hamilton became the 11th Maryland-based apprentice to take home the hardware, joining the ranks of Hall of Famers Kent Desormeaux and Chris McCarron.
He outpaced fellow finalists Edgar Morales and Reylu Gutierrez.
Hamilton quickly earned the respect of Maryland horsemen, finishing second among all jockeys at each of Laurel’s three meets. The up-and-comer recorded his first win at Laurel Park on December 11, 2017, defeating his dad in the process, and posted multiple four-win days during 2018.
| APPRENTICE JOCKEY | FIRST-PLACE VOTES | |
| WESTON HAMILTON | 115 | |
| Edgar Morales | 87 | |
| Reylu Gutierrez | 11 | |
| Heriberto Figueroa | 7 | |
| Kazushi Kimura | 3 | |
| Assael Espinoza | 2 | |
| Evin Roman | 1 | |
| Johan Rosado | 1 | |
| Voter Abstentions | 22 |
