The Most Famous Jockey of All Time, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the jockey you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 27, 2024 07:09

In the spirited world of horse racing, where the synergy between horse and rider defines the exhilaration of the sport, knowing who stands out as an exceptional jockey can enrich any fan's appreciation of the races. By ranking the most famous jockeys of all time, enthusiasts gain insights into the careers and legendary skills that have shaped the history of this competitive sport. Fans and newcomers alike can dive into the stories of these talented individuals, understanding how their strategies, resilience, and connection with their horses earned them fame and recognition on the track. Voting on such a list not only involves fans more deeply in the sport's rich narrative but also honors the legacy of these athletes by acknowledging their impact on horse racing.

Who Is the Most Famous Jockey of All Time?

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37
votes

Los Angeles Times · CC BY 4.0

Bill Shoemaker

Bill Shoemaker - considered by many to be the greatest jockey of all time, he won over 8,800 races in his career, including four Kentucky Derbies. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1958.
2

15
votes

Igel B TyMaHe · CC BY-SA 3.0

Eddie Arcaro

Eddie Arcaro - won five Kentucky Derbies and two Triple Crowns, and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1958. He is often considered one of the greatest jockeys in the history of horse racing.
3

20
votes
Ragge Strand · CC BY 4.0

Lester Piggott

Lester Piggott - one of the most successful jockeys in the history of British horse racing, he won over 4,000 races, including nine Epsom Derbies. He was inducted into the International Racing Hall of Fame in 1975.
Lester Piggott in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Irish jockey
4

12
votes
Tony McCoy

Tony McCoy - the most successful jockey in the history of British horse racing, he won over 4,300 races in his career, including two Grand Nationals. He was awarded an OBE for his services to horse racing in 2010.
Tony McCoy in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Irish jockey
5

18
votes

Bunnie Leigh · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pat Day

Pat Day - won over 8,800 races in his career, including three Kentucky Derbies, and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1991. He is regarded as one of the most successful jockeys in the history of American horse racing.
6

7
votes

Harlan1000 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Julie Krone

Julie Krone - the most successful female jockey in the history of horse racing, she won over 3,700 races in her career, including the Belmont Stakes. She was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2000.
7

14
votes
Paul Friel from Guildford, UK · CC BY 2.0

Frankie Dettori

Frankie Dettori is one of the most successful jockeys in the history of British horse racing, he has won over 500 Group races and seven British Classics. He is known for his signature "flying dismount" after winning a race.
Frankie Dettori in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Irish jockey
8

4
votes

Unidentified photographer · Public domain

George Woolf

George Woolf - won over 3,700 races in his career, including the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. He is best known for his partnership with the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1955.
9

3
votes

FranceSireTV · CC BY 3.0

Steve Cauthen

Steve Cauthen - the youngest jockey ever to win the Triple Crown, he won over 2,700 races in his career, including the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1998.
10

6
votes

Shoichi Matsumoto

Shoichi Matsumoto - considered one of the greatest jockeys in the history of Japanese horse racing, he won over 2,700 races in his career and was the leading jockey in Japan for 10 consecutive years. He was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame in 1997.

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Ranking factors for famous jockey

Major race wins

Winning big races like the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes can make a jockey more famous and respected.
Dominance in a particular era

Jockeys who were particularly dominant in a specific time period, like Steve Cauthen in the late 1970s, may be considered among the greatest.
Longevity

Jockeys who enjoyed lengthy and successful careers, such as Laffit Pincay Jr. who rode for over 40 years, may also be highly respected.
Overall contribution to the sport

Some jockeys are known for their impact beyond their riding ability, such as Eddie Arcaro, who was also a respected trainer, or Bill Shoemaker, who helped raise awareness for paraplegics.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous jockey of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Rider is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1611 views
135 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Rider once every 24 hours. The rank of each Rider is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous jockey of all time

Jockeys have been an important part of horse racing for centuries, with their skill and expertise crucial to the success of any race. Over the years, there have been many great jockeys who have made a name for themselves in the sport. But who is the most famous jockey of all time? This is a question that has been debated by racing fans and experts alike. From legends like Bill Shoemaker and Eddie Arcaro to modern-day stars like Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore, there are many contenders for the title of the most famous jockey of all time. In this article, we'll explore the careers of some of these great jockeys and try to determine who truly deserves the title of the most famous jockey of all time.