Introducing the Legends: The Greatest Horse Jockeys in Racing History
Horse racing has always celebrated the skill and daring of its jockeys, but identifying the very best among them is no easy feat. Success can be measured in many ways—career longevity, total prize earnings, big race victories, or remarkable partnerships with legendary horses. Comparing talents across decades and continents only adds to the debate.
This article highlights ten jockeys whose records, influence, and sporting achievements have left an indelible mark on international racing. With honorable mentions to iconic riders like Eddie Arcaro, Javier Castellano, Pat Day, and Chris McCarron, let’s discover the top 10 horse jockeys of all time.
Celebrating the world’s most successful jockeys across eras and continents.
10. Ruby Walsh: Master of National Hunt Racing
Ruby Walsh: the rider with the most wins in Cheltenham Festival history. [Image: Twitter/OSIreland_]
- Date of Birth: May 14, 1979
- Nationality: Republic of Ireland
- Career Victories: Over 2,770
- Grade/Group 1 Triumphs: 213
- Total Earnings: €24 million+
Ruby Walsh stands as one of the most successful jump jockeys in British and Irish racing history. A record-breaking 12-time Irish champion, he retired in 2019 as the most successful rider ever at the Cheltenham Festival, with 59 wins and 11 leading jockey titles. Walsh’s lasting connections with trainers Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins produced some of the sport’s most memorable competitors, including Hurricane Fly and Kauto Star.
Notably, Walsh won the Grand National twice—first on Papillon in 2000 (his debut at Aintree) and again on Hedgehunter in 2005. These feats anchored his legacy as a champion of the toughest steeplechases.
9. Russell Baze: The King of Consistency
Baze has won nearly 13,000 rides in his career. [Image: Twitter/Sportofkingstv]
- Date of Birth: August 7, 1958
- Nationality: Canada
- Total Wins: 12,842
- Overall Earnings: Over $199 million
Russell Baze’s name may not soar as high as some of his contemporaries internationally, but his near-unprecedented total of almost 13,000 wins underscores his extraordinary consistency and talent. Baze maintained an outstanding 25% win rate, meaning he guided roughly one in every four mounts to the winner’s circle.
While he lacked top-tier wins in American classics or Breeders’ Cup events, his decade-long streak as America’s leading jockey by wins and his partnership with 2005 champion sprinter Lost in the Fog cemented his status as an all-time great.
8. Sir Tony McCoy: A National Hunt Phenomenon
AP McCoy is widely considered the most prolific and best National Hunt jockey of modern times. [Image: Twitter/ILoveGlosUK]
- Date of Birth: May 4, 1975
- Nationality: Republic of Ireland
- Number of Wins: 4,358
- Grade/Group 1 Wins: 105
- Total Earnings: £40 million+
Sir Tony McCoy, often called AP McCoy, redefined the standards of National Hunt racing with twenty consecutive British champion jockey titles. In the 2001-02 season, he shattered records by riding 289 winners—a single-season feat unmatched to this day.
Forging successful relationships with legendary trainer Martin Pipe and later as first jockey for owner JP McManus, McCoy achieved widespread dominance. His greatest partnerships included Brave Inca, Binocular, and Don’t Push It (winner of the 2010 Grand National), sealing his place as the most successful jumps jockey in UK history.
7. Laffit Pincay Jr.: From Panama to American Immortality
Laffit Pincay, Jr. dominated horse racing in the ’70s. [Image: Twitter/SecretariatFest]
- Date of Birth: December 29, 1946
- Country: Panama
- Career Victories: 9,530
- Breeders’ Cup Titles: 7
- Total Prize Money: $237,120,625
After beginning his career in Panama, Laffit Pincay Jr. went on to rewrite American racing records. Dominating the 1970s with multiple champion jockey honors, he was renowned for his incredible work ethic and consistency.
Pincay’s major achievements include partnering with Affirmed to sweep the US Triple Crown in 1978. He retired with a then record 9,530 victories, a standard surpassed by only a handful of jockeys.
6. Frankie Dettori: The Sport’s Global Superstar
There isn’t bigger global star in horse racing than Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori. [Image: Twitter/thedaytotwit]
- Date of Birth: December 15, 1970
- Nationality: Italy
- Wins: Over 3,000
- Group/Grade 1 Victories: 250+
- Total Prize Money: £155 million+
Frankie Dettori is recognized worldwide for his flamboyant celebrations and an illustrious career that has spanned more than three decades. His long-standing association with Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed’s stables resulted in countless big-race triumphs across Europe, Asia, and North America.
No jockey has captured more renewals of France’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe than Dettori, who counts Enable, Stradivarius, and Golden Horn among his star mounts. A three-time UK champion Flat jockey, his enduring popularity and longevity make him an icon of the sport.
5. Mike E. Smith: Defying Age and Breaking Records
Mike E. Smith is proof that age is just a number. [Image: heavy.com]
- Date of Birth: August 10, 1965
- Country: USA
- Career Wins: 5,559
- Breeders’ Cup Wins: 26
- Total Earnings: $328,329,509
Mike E. Smith personifies resilience and skill, highlighted by steering Justify to Triple Crown victory at the age of 52 in 2018—the oldest jockey to claim the honor. Smith has dominated the Breeders’ Cup with 26 wins, more than any rider in the championship’s history.
His career, which began in the early 1980s, includes partnerships with superstar horses like Arrogate and Zenyatta. Smith surpassed Jerry Bailey’s record for American Grade 1 wins at the close of 2019, strengthening his status in the pantheon of greats.
4. Sir Gordon Richards: Cementing a British Legacy
Sir Gordon Richards, a 26-time champion. [Image: Twitter/AllyPallyMuseum]
- Date of Birth: May 5, 1904
- Date of Death: November 10, 1986
- Nationality: United Kingdom
- Total Wins: 4,870
- British Classic Victories: 14
With an astounding 26 British champion jockey titles, Sir Gordon Richards dominated the Flat racing scene over a sparkling career. While his tally of Classic wins may be lower than some, no other jockey has matched his consistency and staying power.
Among his famed rides were Sun Chariot, the rare Fillies’ Triple Crown winner, and Tudor Minstrel. Richards transitioned to a successful training career following retirement, and his legacy continues through his family’s ongoing involvement in racing.
3. John R. Velazquez: The Earnings Leader
John R. Velazquez has earned millions during his career. [Image: Twitter/ketansavaj]
- Date of Birth: November 24, 1971
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Career Wins: 6,165
- Breeders’ Cup Wins: 16
- Total Earnings: $415,609,389
No one in the sport’s history has accumulated more career prize money than John Velazquez. Originally from Puerto Rico, “Johnny V.” is still actively riding at the top level and has accrued over $415 million in earnings.
While only the Preakness Stakes prevents him from completing the American Triple Crown, Velazquez has two wins each in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes alongside numerous Breeders’ Cup triumphs. His wins aboard future elite sires like Kitten’s Joy and Scat Daddy further exemplify his wide-ranging impact.
2. Lester Piggott: The Epitome of Classic Success
Piggott has a number of records under his belt. [Image: Twitter/CharlieBabbageW]
- Date of Birth: November 5, 1935
- Country: United Kingdom
- Career Wins: 4,493
- British Classic Wins: 30
Known as “The Long Fellow,” Lester Piggott’s record includes a staggering 30 British Classic victories—a total including all five historic races. His riding style and tactical insight set new standards for the modern era.
Piggott captured a UK Triple Crown aboard Nijinsky in 1970, and with 11 Derby wins, he remains the race’s most successful jockey. His name lives on in British racing through the Lester Awards, honoring excellence in the saddle.
1. Bill Shoemaker: The Standard-Bearer of Excellence
The greatest horse jockey in the world. [Image: Twitter/CDCHistory]
- Date of Birth: August 10, 1931
- Date of Death: October 12, 2003
- Country: USA
- Number of Victories: 8,883
- Jockey Career Earnings: $123,375,524
- Trainer Earnings: $3,700,000+
Few jockeys have reached the legendary status of Bill Shoemaker. With nearly 9,000 victories across a four-decade career, he secured a place among the sport’s elite. Shoemaker was the leading earning jockey on ten occasions and his win rate—above 21%—speaks to his consistency at the highest level.
While Shoemaker never completed a Triple Crown sweep in the same year, he secured victories in each of its races and later built a successful training career. His legacy endures in the Hall of Fame and the memories of race-goers worldwide.
Final Thoughts: Measuring Greatness in the Saddle
Each jockey in this list made history in their own right, whether by sheer volume of wins, dominance in prestigious meets, or influence on the sport’s evolution. From Ruby Walsh’s festival exploits to Bill Shoemaker’s unmatched achievements, these riders collectively represent the pinnacle of horse racing excellence across generations.
