How much does a Kentucky Derby jockey make? Highest paid, average salary and more to know originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that a lot of money is annually on the line at the Kentucky Derby.

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Millions of dollars in prize money gets split among top finishes at the horse race every year — and of that winning money, it gets split between a horse’s team of the owner(s), trainers and jockeys.

A jockey at the Kentucky Derby may not receive as much money as others involved in the sport, especially the owner of a winning horse, but hundreds of thousands can still be at stake for the riders.

Here’s what to know about how much a Kentucky Derby jockey makes.

MORE:When was the last Triple Crown winner?

How much does a Kentucky Derby jockey make?

A Kentucky Derby jockey’s pay can widely vary based on the success of the horse — typically, the jockeys are hired on a race-to-race basis, not a a long-term contract like in other sports.

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Because of that, the amount a jockey makes varies greatly depending on their performance.

Kentucky Derby winner prize money

In 2026, there is a total pursue of $5 million on the line at the Kentucky Derby, which will be split to the final positions:

However, there’s many steps to be taken for a jockey to receive their cut of the horse’s total winnings.

A typical winner’s share will see around 80% go to the owner, with the trainer and jockey receiving 10% each. That would set up the 2026 Kentucky Derby winner to receive $310,000.

But of that jockey’s cut, there are further arrangements to be made. Typically, around 25% will go to the jockey’s agent and another 5% will go to the valet who helped prepare the jockey’s riding gear.

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That would leave the 2026 Kentucky Derby-winning jockey with a payout of around $217,000, which is before taxes.

The jockey’s percentage cut of the second- and third-place winning horses also typically falls down to 5%, which, in 2026, would leave the jockey payouts at around $35,000 and $17,500, again before taxes, per Twin Spires.

While jockeys are the front-facing figures in the Kentucky Derby, their winning earnings are often small in comparison to the horse owner’s.

Annual salary

Jockeys are usually paid by race, earning a set amount up-front, then receiving considerably more from a cut of a winning horse’s result. Because of that, annual salaries can widely vary.

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However, according to Fan Odds, most jockeys will receive around $100-$500 per ride minimum, with annual salaries ranging from $20,000 to $1 million based on experience and success. Entry-level jockeys can reportedly earn between $30,000-$50,000 annually; jockeys can also earn money from endorsements and bonuses. Doubled Trailers also reports an annual average U.S. salary of $49,000, but with top jockeys earning over $25 million per year in prize cuts and sponsorships.

At the 2026 Kentucky Derby, each jockey who finishes below third place will receive a minimum $500 riding fee.

MORE: Bob Baffert’s timeline of Kentucky Derby wins

Kentucky Derby jockey average salary

Jockeys typically are paid on a per-race basis; the salary for a Kentucky Derby jockey widely varies based on the horse’s result. While a winner might receive north of $200,000 in take-home pay, non-top-five finishers may only receive a few hundred dollars for their efforts.

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According to Fan Odds, the average jockey salary in the United States is around $60,000-$80,000 annually. However, entry-level jockeys can earn an estimated $30,000-$50,000 annually, while experienced jockeys can make $100,000-$200,000 per year or more, including into the millions.

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Highest-paid jockeys in horse racing

Internationally, the horse racing jockey with the highest career earnings is Japan’s Yutaka Take, who has earned an estimated $971 million throughout his career, per OLBG, which includes over 4,500 wins. Other Japanese jockeys like Norihiro Yokoyama ($615 million) and Yuichi Fukunaga ($561 million) have also cleared the reported $500 million threshold.

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Among jockeys in only the United States in Canada, however, there is only one who has made over $500 million: John R. Velazquez, who has totaled $519.1 million over 38,000-plus races, per Equibase, including Kentucky Derby wins in 2011, 2017 and 2020.

Here’s a look at the top-10 highest-earning jockeys in the U.S. and Canada, according to Equibase.

MORE:Full list of Kentucky Derby winners

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – Beginning Saturday, and running through September 30, thoroughbred racing returns to Louisiana Downs.

Saturday, the historic venue will celebrate ‘Kentucky Derby’ Day, by having watch parties of the big event, alongside having live racing.

After this weekend, Louisiana Downs will race on a Monday and Tuesday schedule, with post start times slated for 4:05.

Exceptions to the normal schedule include a July 3 date to celebrate Independence Day.

The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.