Meet the Jockeys of the 2025 Kentucky Derby

Winning the Kentucky Derby is the goal of any Thoroughbred jockey due to several factors. First, it’s the most famous and prestigious race in the world, and that’s enough for most riders. Second, it presents a challenge unlike any other race, requiring a jockey to navigate his horse 1 ¼ miles among a field with up to 19 opponents and in front of about 150,000 screaming fans. And, oh yeah, third: the victorious Kentucky Derby jockey will receive approximately 10% of the winner’s share of the purse, or $310,000 out of $3.1 million (from the total purse of $5 million this year).

The roster of accomplished jockeys for the 151stKentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve May 3 at Churchill Downs includes five riders that have already won this race and five who are competing in the first leg of the Triple Crown for the first time. Let’s meet them.