We all remember Billy Shoemaker and how he won so many horse races and sat atop some of the most famous horses, but who are some of the other top jockeys? Well talk about them here and some of their records and then you can decide if they are tops or if you like someone else.
Garrett Gomez
After his substance abuse dilemma when he missed over twenty months of racing he won the jockey Eclipse Award in 2003 that is awarded to most outstanding jockey.
He has made the most bucks out of any North American jockey of approximately $21 million and had four victories in 2008, including the Breeders Cup where he rode the horse Ventura. We think he is pretty cool anyone who can overcome a tough time and win a lot of money is someone we admire!
Edgar Prado
This jockey won the Belmont Stakes in 2002 with Sarava and has become known as the longest shot to ever win a race what an achievement, we think. In 2006, he rode Barbaro to win that race and in 2008, he continues his award winning jockey title riding Benny the Bull, Tough Tizs Sis, and Adriano.
With a modest $14 million (yeah right) in total lifetime winnings, he was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in this year after he won his 6,000th race. Way cool, we think.
Kent Desormeaux
This jockey has won the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey two times! While he did win both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, he has yet to champion the Belmont Stakes but we think he will someday if he keeps jockeying.
With 5,000 career wins, he too has been elected to the Horse Racing Hall of Fame and has made just a tad over $14 million in his career wow, wed like to be related to him!
John Velazquez
He too won that Eclipse Award twice! In 2007, he won the Belmont States atop Rags to Riches who was the first Philly since 1905 to win this race. He came in second in 2008s Breeders Cup and he too is hanging in there with only $14 million in earnings whats with all the fourteens?
Mike Smith
Okay, we found a jockey whose earnings are around only $8.8 million he has some catching up to do. Also a two time Eclipse Award winner, he has be given the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award this is awarded by jockey peers kind of like an NFL player going to the Pro Bowl. To us, his best accomplishment is that he has won more Breeders Cup titles than any other active jockey out there wow.
Somehow we feel we would be remiss here if we didnt mention other jockeys who are tops in the field but in a big and bad way!
Dermot Browne has admitted to doping 23 horses, Dean Gallagher keeps failing drug tests, John Egan, was suspended from riding after being found guilty of corruption what he corrupted we dont actually know though. Chris Munce had to go to jail for twenty months for conspiring again who or what he was conspiring with is a mystery to us.
Dean McKeown had to end his thirty year racing career over the laying of eleven horses what a bad boy. Finally, we must add Kieren Fallon to this list his past includes pulling another jockey from a horse (meanie), keeps landing in rehab, and has been accused of race fixing.
Well, now you have what jockey names are worth a mention, and you can pick any of these top good jockeys and well, most of the bad ones dont ride anymore so you probably won t see their names on any betting lists. If we have not named your favorite Jockey here, we apologize, but after all, it is our list.
Simon M Skinner assists withruns internet marketing for BetAmerica - the top online US horse racing betting website.
- Famous Jockeys At All Time When it comes to a horse racing event the focus is usually who wins the race and the horse that did it. However, what about...
- Various Forms Of Thoroughbred Racing Thoroughbred horse racing is the most popular form of horse racing the whole world. It is so popular that some people do not know of...
- The Many Faces Of Horse Racing Horse racing is one of the world’s oldest sports. It is followed world wide with ardor and passion. The aspect of betting, adds a flavor...
- Famous Triple Crown Horses The Triple Crown is one of the most respected and well known horse racing events. This is something that horse racing enthusiasts and even those...
- Notable Triple Crown Contenders and Winners America has not seen a Triple Crown winner since June 7, 1978. This 31 year drought is the longest in Triple Crown history, but there...