Jimmy Boyd in 
Each Kentucky Derby brings a fresh crop of 3-year-olds looking to make their mark on the biggest stage in horse racing. While the horses change every year, the jockeys often look familiar. Top riders trusted with the chance to make history. These elite athletes are as much a part of the story as the horses themselves.
Jockeys aren’t built like athletes in most other sports. While there’s no official height requirement, the Derby weight limit of 126 pounds (including their gear) means most jockeys weigh between 108–118 pounds and stand under 5’6”. Factor in the 6–7 lbs of gear, and they’re typically aiming to weigh no more than 120 pounds.
Despite their small size, jockeys possess incredible strength, balance, and risk tolerance. Controlling a thousand-pound horse at full speed around a packed track is no small task. And while the physical danger is real, the financial reward for most jockeys isn’t massive. The winning Derby jockey earns about 10% of the first-place purse, while second and third each take 5%.
If you’re betting the Kentucky Derby, it’s worth studying the jockeys just as closely as the horses. An elite rider can elevate a good horse and a bad one can waste a contender. Be sure to check out my full Derby predictions before placing your wagers.
2026 Kentucky Derby Jockey Assignments: Height, Weight, Experience
The table below lists each horse entered in the 2026 Kentucky Derby, along with their jockey, qualifying points, morning line odds, and the rider’s physical stats where available. These details can provide an edge, especially when comparing experienced veterans to first-time Derby participants.
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Points | Odds | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renegade | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher | 125 | 4-1 | 5’3” | 112 lbs |
| 2 | Albus | Manny Franco | Riley Mott | 100 | 30-1 | 5’1” | 112 lbs |
| 3 | Intrepido | Hector Berrios | Jeff Mullins | 38 | 50-1 | 5’3” | 114 lbs |
| 4 | Litmus Test | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 34 | 30-1 | 5’1” | 118 lbs |
| 5 | Right to Party | Chris Elliott | Kenneth McPeek | 65 | SCR | ||
| 6 | Commandment | Luis Saez | Brad Cox | 150 | 6-1 | 5’2” | 114 lbs |
| 7 | Danon Bourbon | Atsuya Nishimura | Manabu Ikezoe | 40 | 20-1 | 112 lbs | |
| 8 | So Happy | Mike Smith | Mark Glatt | 115 | 15-1 | 5’4” | 115 lbs |
| 9 | The Puma | Javier Castellano | Gustavo Delgado | 106 | 10-1 | 5’1” | 114 lbs |
| 10 | Wonder Dean | Ryusei Sakai | Daisuke Takayanagi | E/ME | 30-1 | 112 lbs | |
| 11 | Incredibolt | Jaime Torres | Riley Mott | 60 | 20-1 | 114 lbs | |
| 12 | Chief Wallabee | Junior Alvarado | William Mott | 50 | 8-1 | 5’6” | 113 lbs |
| 13 | Silent Tactic | Christian Torres | Mark Casse | 100 | SCR | ||
| 14 | Potente | Juan Hernandez | Bob Baffert | 100 | 20-1 | 5’3” | 114 lbs |
| 15 | Emerging Market | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown | 100 | 15-1 | 5’1” | 116 lbs |
| 16 | Pavlovian | Edwin Maldonado | Doug O’Neill | 70 | 30-1 | 5’3” | 113 lbs |
| 17 | Six Speed | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Bhupat Seemar | E/ME | 50-1 | 5’5” | 115 lbs |
| 18 | Further Ado | John Velazquez | Brad Cox | 135 | 6-1 | 5’6” | 114 lbs |
| 19 | Golden Tempo | Jose Ortiz | Cherie DeVaux | 60 | 30-1 | 5’7” | 112 lbs |
| 20 | Fulleffort | Tyler Gaffalione | Brad Cox | 110 | SCR | ||
| 21 | Great White | Alex Achard | John Ennis | 30 | 50-1 | 115 lbs | |
| 22 | Ocelli | Joseph Ramos | Whit Beckman | 25 | 50-1 | 114 lbs | |
| 23 | Robusta | Emisael Jaramillo | Doug O’Neill | 25 | 50-1 | 5’2” | 112 lbs |
Recent Kentucky Derby Winning Jockeys
Want to see who’s been to the winner’s circle? Here’s a quick look at the most recent Derby-winning jockeys:
- 2025 – Junior Alvarado (Sovereignty)
- 2024 – Brian Hernandez Jr. (Mystik Dan)
- 2023 – Javier Castellano (Mage)
- 2022 – Sonny Leon (Rich Strike)
- 2021 – Florent Geroux (Mandaloun – following Medina Spirit DQ)
A great jockey doesn’t guarantee a win, but the best ones consistently put their horses in a position to succeed. Before locking in your Derby bets, make sure you know who’s in the saddle. Their experience, tactics, and even body weight can influence the outcome.
Don’t forget to check out our full Kentucky Derby odds and payout tracker.
