Who Is the Highest-Paid Jockey in the World? Everything We Know Ahead of Kentucky Derby 2024

Being a jockey is an exciting and distinct career pick. While the owners of the horses receive a large portion of the earnings, several jockeys have built up enormous fortunes over the years. There are several wealthy jockeys based in the United States, but the one who is making the most fortune among all is from a country that is home to the largest racing industry in the world. Ahead of the 2024 Kentucky Derby, which will celebrate its 150th running of the annual horse race in Louisville, Ky, on May 4, 2024, let’s explore the highest-paid jockey in the world.

Japan’s Yutaka Take has amassed an incredible $950 million over nearly 4,500 wins, making him the highest-paid and the richest jockey in the world. Born on March 15, 1969, Take wanted to follow in his father, Kunihiko Take’s footsteps, who was a very accomplished jockey. Yutaka made his riding debut in 1987. Even his brother, Koshiro Take is a jockey. Take became the first Japanese jockey to win a Group 1 race in Europe when he won the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp in 1994. His most famous UK victory was in the July Cup in 2000.

Despite being mostly unknown outside of his own country, the 55-year-old has had several memorable victories over the years, including seven all-time records in Japan. He also won the Japanese Triple Crown with Deep Impact in 2005 and clinched victory in the Japan Cup four times. Yutaka was most associated with the legendary racehorse ‘Deep Impact’ and the pair have won 7 Grade 1 races. He has won at least one Grade 1 for 23 straight years and a graded stakes race for 31 consecutive years. He has won in Korea, UAE, Hong Kong, France, the UK, the US, Germany and Australia.

In the second spot is Norihiro Yokoyama, another Japanese rider who has won over 2,941 races and earned $615 million in his career. Notably, prize money for jockeys in Japan is far more than that of the UK or the USA. Even the third jockey on the list, Yuichi Fukunaga, is a native of Japan. He boasts a net worth of $561 million over his 2,541 career bouts. Another jockey from Japan, Masayoshi Ebina, holds the fourth place with 2,541 triumphs and $505 million in career earnings.

John R. Velazquez, the first non-Japanese jockey to complete the top 5, won 6,485 races amassing $478 million, and is a legendary figure in horse racing in North America. Puerto Rican Velazquez is famous for his 20 Breeders Cup victories and six American Classics crowns.

As for the numbers in the top 50, Japan leads with 29 jockeys, followed by nine American jockeys, and only three Puerto Rican jockeys! Nowadays, a lot of jockeys hope to ride in the Kentucky Derby (G1), and a handful of the best riders have established themselves in the impending classic race.

Notable jockeys in the 2024 Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby is the longest-running sporting event and before the big race on Saturday, here are six Derby jockeys you should be familiar with this year. Top of the list, for all the right reasons, is jockey John Velazquez, a Hall of Famer. With Animal Kingdom in 2011, Always Dreaming in 2017, and Authentic in 2020, he has won the Kentucky Derby thrice. Since moving from Puerto Rico to the US mainland in 1990, he has not only kept an eye on the best earning list but also shown promise as an elite rider.

Tyler Gaffalione, 29, is next in line. He won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) with Domestic Product and the Blue Grass (G1) riding Sierra Leone. He comes from a family of jockeys; both his father and grandfather were in the horse racing industry just like Japan’s Yutaka Take. At Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Gulfstream, and Kentucky Downs, he has won leading rider championships. He finished third in victories and second in earnings in North America the previous year.

Frenchman Flavien Prat, who initially began riding professionally in the US in late 2014, finished in third. With his first six mounts, the 31-year-old has scored five top-three results. Together with Country House, who finished second but was moved to first after Maximum Security was disqualified, he won the 2019 Kentucky Derby. Stronghold, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Sunland Park Derby (G3), marks the debut of fourth-generation jockey Antonio Fresu in the Kentucky Derby.

As the big event approaches, be ready to see some beautiful headgear, mint juleps served in souvenir glasses, the audience chanting “My Old Kentucky Home,” and the winner’s hand-sewn garland of red roses as the jockeys get ready to capture the Derby crown.