Here are the top 25 North American jockeys in horse racing as of 2025, including their season starts, wins, places (2nd), shows (3rd), and earnings, along with a short explanation about each. The table is based on recent statistics from the 2025 leaderboards and key racing outlets.
| Rank | Jockey | Starts | Wins | Places | Shows | Earnings | About Each Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flavien Prat | 663 | 159 | 135 | 106 | $19,763,360 | Elite French-born jockey, known for consistency at the highest level. Led stakes and graded wins in 2024 and continues strong in 2025. Famous for tactical and patient riding style. |
| 2 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | 684 | 140 | 134 | 114 | $18,454,949 | Aggressive, dominant in NY circuit; excels on big stages. Regular Eclipse Award winner, famous for precise race tactics and fearless finishes. |
| 3 | Jose L. Ortiz | 655 | 145 | 125 | 105 | $16,568,034 | Renowned for smart decisions in traffic; brother to Irad; excels in Kentucky and NY, strong record in big races. |
| 4 | Luis Saez | 748 | 137 | 128 | 110 | $15,582,085 | Leading speed jockey, noted for quick breaking horses; rides often in Florida and NY. Consistently in the top 5 by wins and earnings. |
| 5 | Manny Franco | 590 | 112 | 105 | 94 | $10,651,977 | Top NYRA circuit jockey, recognized for adaptability and calm under pressure, excels with top trainers in major races. |
| 6 | John R. Velazquez | 542 | 76 | 98 | 93 | $10,070,508 | Hall of Famer, legendary for success in Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup; still a top competitor at age 53. |
| 7 | Junior Alvarado | 604 | 97 | 102 | 87 | $10,026,315 | Venezuelan rider known for strong finishing kick, rides for big Kentucky stables, trusted in high-pressure situations. |
| 8 | Brian Hernandez, Jr. | 574 | 92 | 90 | 80 | $9,874,046 | Consistently in national rankings, often brings home longshots; known for composure and skill in classic distance races. |
| 9 | Paco Lopez | 597 | 125 | 113 | 87 | $8,447,728 | Noted for his aggressive, quick-launch style; leads by wins at Monmouth; excellent in sprints and dirt tracks. |
| 10 | Umberto Rispoli | 491 | 87 | 99 | 75 | $8,374,225 | Italian import, now California star, lauded for creativity and boldness in tight finishes; excels on turf. |
| 11 | Dylan Davis | 527 | 79 | 104 | 89 | $8,236,507 | Young NYRA mainstay, known for versatility and riding confidence; recently moved to Gulfstream for winter meets. |
| 12 | Kendrick Carmouche | 495 | 103 | 80 | 85 | $7,422,043 | Veteran known for rail-riding skill, excels at Aqueduct and Parx; popular in NY and Philly for tactical savvy. |
| 13 | Juan J. Hernandez | 531 | 133 | 129 | 92 | $7,198,722 | California-based, excels in sprints; reliable for high-percentage connections in top SoCal barns. |
| 14 | Luan Machado | 489 | 78 | 82 | 71 | $6,792,150 | Rising Midwest star, known for perseverance in lower-profile meets; emerging national force. |
| 15 | Joel Rosario | 563 | 89 | 104 | 95 | $6,557,877 | Triple Crown and Dubai World Cup winner; reputation for relaxed patience and explosive late runs. |
| 16 | Jose Lezcano | 499 | 85 | 99 | 87 | $6,246,802 | Panamanian specializing in turf and NY circuit, admired for sharp timing and strategic rides. |
| 17 | Rafael Bejarano | 472 | 74 | 93 | 76 | $5,885,177 | Veteran Peruvian, renowned for consistency across many circuits; strong in California and Kentucky. |
| 18 | Mychel J. Sanchez | 480 | 115 | 75 | 80 | $5,802,829 | Young Pennsylvania circuit star, known for determination and work ethic; gaining attention nationally. |
| 19 | Edgard J. Zayas | 503 | 91 | 105 | 83 | $5,710,262 | Regular leader at Gulfstream, excels at hitting the board with reliable mounts. |
| 20 | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | 508 | 66 | 79 | 69 | $5,457,707 | Top Arkansas and Kentucky rider, trusted by elite barns; excels in big-race pressure. |
| 21 | Cristian A. Torres | 428 | 72 | 62 | 54 | $5,361,212 | Strong first half of 2025, emerging as a “go-to” for top barns, notably in Texas and the Midwest. |
| 22 | Ben Curtis | 322 | 54 | 59 | 55 | $5,115,928 | UK transplant, known for clockwork consistency; rapidly climbing US jockey ranks. |
| 23 | Florent Geroux | 500 | 70 | 95 | 82 | $5,026,644 | French Classic and Breeders’ Cup winner, reliable in top US turf and classic-distance races. |
| 24 | Tyler W. Bacon | 315 | 55 | 70 | 49 | $4,805,502 | Young up-and-comer on national scene; scoring with underdogs, especially in allowance races. |
| 25 | Javier Castellano | 425 | 60 | 82 | 73 | $4,804,070 | Hall of Famer, renowned for longevity and big-money wins; key player at national and Triple Crown meets. |
