Leo Salles

Tags: Fort Erie Racetrack, Jockey, Woodbine RacetrackLast Updated: January 16, 2026

Leo Salles

Jockey, Canada

Career Highlights

First verified Canadian start: October 9, 2022, Woodbine
Most recent start: November 14, 2025, Woodbine

Career totals (recognized starts through December 31, 2025)
Starts: 1,655
Wins: 149
Win rate: 9 percent
Earnings: CAD $10,118,887 (USD $7,298,617), converted at USD/CAD 1.3864 on January 9, 2026

Year by year performance (Equibase)
2025: 501 starts, 48 wins, USD $2,488,972, CAD approx $3,450,000
2024: 531 starts, 47 wins, USD $2,400,472, CAD approx $3,327,000
2023: 429 starts, 38 wins, USD $1,661,920, CAD approx $2,304,000
2022: 192 starts, 16 wins, USD $743,993, CAD approx $1,032,000

Professional notes
Regular rider at Woodbine and Fort Erie since 2022
International riding experience prior to Canada

Signature wins and milestones
Overskate Stakes, October 9, 2022, Woodbine, aboard Perfect Crime
Multiple stakes appearances and wins at Woodbine between 2023 and 2025

Who is Leo Salles?

Leo Salles arrived in Canadian racing with experience already under his belt. He did not enter the Woodbine jockey colony as a developing apprentice. He entered as a professional rider with international exposure and the ability to adapt quickly.

When Salles made his first verified Canadian start at Woodbine on October 9, 2022, he immediately demonstrated that he could compete at the national level. Over the next three seasons, he became a familiar presence in competitive claiming, allowance, and stakes races.

By the end of 2025, Salles had accumulated more than 1,600 career starts and nearly 150 wins. Those numbers reflect durability, consistency, and continued trust from trainers across multiple racing programs.

Family background and international racing exposure

Leo Salles is a Brazilian-born jockey from São Paulo. Brazil has a long history of producing technically sound riders, and Salles developed his riding foundation outside Canada before establishing himself in North America.

Before riding full-time in Canada, he competed internationally, including appearances in the United States and the Middle East. His international background required him to adapt to different racing styles, surfaces, and regulatory environments, a skill set that later helped him transition into Canadian racing.

According to Racing and Sports, Salles has ridden in multiple jurisdictions worldwide before focusing on Canada.

Early Canadian experience at Woodbine

Video evidence and race replays confirm that Salles was active at Woodbine prior to the start of his full Equibase statistical record in 2022. Several publicly available race videos show him riding at Woodbine in earlier seasons.

For statistical accuracy, this profile uses October 9, 2022, as the first verified Canadian Equibase start. Earlier riding activity is acknowledged but excluded from formal career totals to ensure data integrity.

Breakthrough moments at Woodbine

Salles did not need an extended adjustment period after establishing himself in Canada.

On October 9, 2022, he won the Overskate Stakes at Woodbine aboard Perfect Crime. That victory came on the same day as his first verified Canadian Equibase start and immediately placed him on the radar of owners and trainers.

From 2023 onward, his mount count increased steadily. In 2023, he made 429 starts and earned more than USD $1.6 million.

In 2024, that number rose to over 530 starts with earnings exceeding USD $2.4 million.

Those figures reflect trainer confidence. Riders do not receive that volume of mounts without delivering reliable results.

Reflections on his breakthrough year

In a video interview following his breakout season at Woodbine, Salles reflected on his progress, challenges, and future goals as a professional jockey. He discussed adapting to Canadian racing conditions, learning from setbacks, and continuing to improve within one of North America’s most competitive jockey colonies.

This interview provides rare first-person insight into his mindset and professional development.

Safety review and professional accountability

In 2021, while riding at Woodbine, Salles served a multi-month suspension following several safety-related riding infractions during the early part of the meet. The Woodbine stewards issued the suspension after reviewing multiple incidents.

Salles accepted responsibility for the rulings and did not appeal. He later acknowledged the seriousness of the incidents and the importance of rider safety in professional racing.

Further reading can be done at Thoroughbred Daily News, Toronto Sun, and Paulick Report.

This period represented a professional challenge that shaped his later approach to riding and decision-making.

Most recent full-season performance

The 2025 season marked Salles’s most productive year in Canada.

He made 501 starts, won 48 races, and earned nearly USD $2.5 million. His average earnings per start increased, reflecting stronger mount quality and improved consistency.

While he did not contend for a riding title, he remained one of the busiest riders on the circuit and a dependable option for a wide range of barns.

Riding style and reputation

Salles rides with tactical awareness and strong pace judgment. He positions horses efficiently and follows the trainer’s instructions closely.

He has shown effectiveness on Tapeta and turf and adapts well to varying race shapes. Trainers value his professionalism, preparation, and communication, which explains his steady flow of mounts across seasons.

Current status into 2026

Salles remained active through late 2025. His most recent start came on November 14, 2025, at Woodbine, where he finished third aboard Closing Appeal in a maiden claiming race.

He continues to ride primarily in Canada, with regular appearances at Woodbine and Fort Erie.

Why Leo Salles matters to Canadian racing

Not every influential jockey wins classic races or championships.

Some matter because they provide stability, professionalism, and depth.

Leo Salles brings international experience into Canadian racing, supports competitive fields, and delivers consistent results across conditions. His career reflects resilience, adaptability, and continued contribution to the sport.

Frequently Asked Questions about Leo Salles

Q1: Who is Leo Salles?
Leo Salles is a Brazilian-born jockey who rides primarily in Canada, with regular appearances at Woodbine and Fort Erie.

Q2: When did Leo Salles begin riding in Canada?
His first verified Canadian Equibase start occurred on October 9, 2022, at Woodbine.

Q3: How many races has Leo Salles won?
Through the end of the 2025 season, he recorded 149 career wins from 1,655 starts.

Q4: What are Leo Salles’s career earnings?
His career earnings total USD $7.29 million, approximately CAD $10.1 million using a January 2026 conversion rate.

Q5: Has Leo Salles ridden internationally?
Yes. He has ridden in multiple international jurisdictions, including Brazil, the United States, and the Middle East.

Q6: Is Leo Salles still an active jockey?
Yes. He remained active through late 2025 and continues to ride within the Canadian racing system.

This article was enhanced using AI tools for drafting purposes, but thoroughly reviewed and edited by our team of experts at Jockeys Canada.

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