The Most Influential jockeys in horse racing history

Well-known tracks and fierce competition showcase a mix of speed and ability, especially at popular events like the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. Crowds of enthusiasts and punters attend each event to see if their favourite jockeys will finish first.

Horse racing odds & results on Unibet Australia, along with other local and foreign betting platforms, where horse racing is followed at the national level, are constantly updated based on competitions and performances of both jockeys and their horses. Within this field, a lot of jockeys have played a vital role in changing the sport and taking it to the next level, let us take a look at who these are.

John Velazquez

John Velazquez—born in Puerto Rico,  started riding horses early on in life. He was considered a natural and soon became famous. His journey, outlined by hard work, skill and good planning took him from local Puerto Rican racecourses to international stardom.

During his career, he has won over 6,000 races, three of which were Kentucky Derbys–in 2011, 2017 and 2020 and two Belmont Stakes in 2007 and 2012. His most recent win was at the Preakness Stakes which was held in 2023.

He was recognised not only as a champion rider but for his love of horses, whom he created lasting partnerships with. One of the most notable moments in Velazquez’s career was when he was included in the Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2012.

Laffit Pincay Jr

Laffit Pincay Jr. took horse racing to a new hight with 9,530 career victories. Pincay was born in Panama and, like his father, became a jockey.

Pincay's career exploded rather quickly and with every race his reputation as a technically skilled, disciplined jockey continued to grow and spread.

He won many races including well-known races like San Bernardino Handicap, Blue Grass Stakes, Hawthorne Handicap, and many more. His most memorable wins were in the Kentucky Derby (1984, with Swale, an American Thoroughbred) and the Belmont Stakes (1984).

His resilience and strength have defined Pincay's life beyond the racetrack. Throughout these challenges, Pincay displayed the same bravery and determination in his personal life as in his racing career.

Pat Eddery

Born in Ireland in 1952 into a family passionate about horse racing, Eddery was destined for the racetrack. His father was also a jockey and later a trainer, which influenced Pat's early interest in racing.

As a teenager, Eddery moved to England to further his career, apprenticing under Frenchie Nicholson, a renowned jockey at the time. He quickly made a significant impact in the equestrian sport.

Throughout his career, he won more than 4,600 races, 11 of which he was crowned Champion Jockey, which highlights his consistent top performances in a highly competitive field. After he retired from riding, Eddery continued to help train and prepare upcoming jockeys whilst also being a mentor to many.

Eddery's era ended when he passed away in 2015, but his influence on horse racing will go on. Six years later, in 2021 he was included in the British Champions Series Hall of Fame.