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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.
2025 Kentucky Derby Jockey Assignments: Height, Weight, Experience
The table below lists each horse entered in the 2025 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 | Citizen Bull | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 71.25 | 20-1 | 5’1” | 118 lbs |
| 2 | Neoequos | Luis Saez | Saffie Joseph Jr. | 40 | 30-1 | ||
| 3 | Final Gambit | Luan Machado | Brad Cox | 100 | 30-1 | 116 lbs | |
| 4 | Rodriguez | Mike Smith | 121.25 | N/A | 5’4” | 115 lbs | |
| 5 | American Promise | Nik Juarez | D. Wayne Lukas | 55 | 30-1 | ||
| 6 | Admire Daytona (JPN) | Christophe Lemaire | Yukihiro Kato | 100 | 30-1 | ||
| 7 | Luxor Cafe | João Moreira | Noriyuki Hori | 70 | 30-1 | ||
| 8 | Journalism | Umberto Rispoli | Michael McCarthy | 122.5 | 3-1 | 5’5” | 112 lbs |
| 9 | Burnham Square | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Ian Wilkes | 130 | 12-1 | 115 lbs | |
| 10 | Grande | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | 50 | 20-1 | 5’6” | 114 lbs |
| 11 | Flying Mohawk | Joseph Ramos | Whit Beckman | 50 | 30-1 | ||
| 12 | East Avenue | Manuel Franco | Brendan Walsh | 60 | 20-1 | 5’1” | 112 lbs |
| 13 | Publisher | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Steve Asmussen | 60 | 20-1 | 5’3” | 112 lbs |
| 14 | Tiztastic | Joel Rosario | Steve Asmussen | 119 | 20-1 | 5’2” | 109 lbs |
| 15 | Render Judgment | Julien Leparoux | Kenneth McPeek | 39 | 30-1 | 5’5” | 114 lbs |
| 16 | Coal Battle | Juan Vargas | Lonnie Briley | 95 | 30-1 | ||
| 17 | Sandman | José Ortiz | Mark Casse | 129 | 6-1 | 5’7” | 112 lbs |
| 18 | Sovereignty | Junior Alvarado | Bill Mott | 110 | 5-1 | 5’6” | 113 lbs |
| 19 | Chunk Of Gold | Jareth Loveberry | Ethan West | 75 | 30-1 | 5’8” | 115 lbs |
| 20 | Owen Almighty | Javier Castellano | Brian Lynch | 65 | 30-1 | 5’1” | 114 lbs |
| 21 AE | Baeza | Flavien Prat | John Shirreffs | 37.5 | 12-1 | 5’1” | 116 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:
- 2024 – Brian Hernandez Jr. (Mystik Dan)
- 2023 – Javier Castellano (Mage)
- 2022 – Sonny Leon (Rich Strike)
- 2021 – Florent Geroux (Mandaloun – following Medina Spirit DQ)
- 2020 – John Velazquez (Authentic)
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.
