How much do jockeys make at 2025 Kentucky Derby? Prize money, payout for winning
A $5 million purse will be up for grabs, with the winner taking home $3.1 million. The 2025 purse matches the record-breaking purse from 2024.
On a race card, three prominent names are usually featured next to the horse running: The owner, the trainer and the jockey. Depending on agreements between jockeys and trainers, each usually earns a percentage of the prize money if their thoroughbred is the victor.
Here's what you need to know about how much a jockey earns at the Kentucky Derby:
Jockeys are typically hired on a race-to-race basis rather than a long-term contract, which is common in other sports, according to federal research. Jockeys typically earn a set amount up front and then earn 5-10% earnings in prize money for races they win.
Brian Hernandez Jr. was the winning jockey last year on the horse Mystic Dan and earned 10% of the winnings.
According to the Kentucky Derby, Hernandez took home $310,000 for riding Mystic Dan to victory in the 150th Kentucky Derby last year on May 4. Opening at 18:1 odds, Hernandez rode Mystic Dan to a victory in a three-way photo finish.
Just as it was last year, the purse for the 2025 Kentucky Derby is set for $5 million. Once again, the winning combination of jockey and horse will earn $3.1 million, with the other top-five finishers earning a separate payout.
The Kentucky Derby ― the "Run for the Roses' ― typically features the highest purse of the Triple Crown races. Both the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes paid out a purse of $2 million in 2024.
Here's a look at the jockeys on horses in the 2025 Kentucky Derby:
Martin Garcia (Citizen Bull): Two career wins
Flavien Prat (Neoquos): 84 career wins
Luan Machado (Final Gambit): 58 career wins
Mike E. Smith (Rodriguez): 11 career wins
Nik Juarez (American Promise): 15 career wins
Christophe Lemaire (Admire Dayton): Two career wins
Joao Moreira (Luxor Cafe): Two career wins
Umberto Rispoli (Journalism): 43 career wins
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. (Burnham Square): 42 career wins
John R. Velazquez (Grande): 29 career wins
Joseph D. Ramos (Flying Mohawk): 49 career wins
Manuel Franco (East Avenue): 89 career wins
Irad Ortiz Jr. (Publisher): 104 career wins
Joel Rosario (Tiztastic): 24 career wins
Julien R. Leparoux (Render Judgement): 23 career wins
Juan P. Vargas (Coal Battle): 14 career wins
Jose L. Ortiz (Sandman): 92 career wins
Junior Alvarado (Sovereignty): 39 career wins
Jareth Loveberry (Chunk of Gold): 41 career wins
Javier Castellano (Owen Almighty): 34 career wins
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How much does a horse jockey make at Kentucky Derby?
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