When it comes to a horse racing event the focus is usually who wins the race and the horse that did it. However, what about the jockey? It seems like you never hear anything about them. Usually they hire an agent that works for a percentage of the jockey's winnings, which in return, they find a horse to ride during each race. They are known for riding atop a young thoroughbred that can race at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. This involves great strength, concentration, and superb endurance. The top jockeys provide skillful strategies and great sportsmanship to the events. Here are just a few of these skillful jockeys who have captured the hearts and the attention of the horse racing circuit.



Pat Day- Known as a favorite throughout the Midwest circuit, especially around Churchill Downs, Hall of Famer Pat Day has won several events since 1973, since racing at Prescott Downs in Arizona. This native of Colorado has received the Eclipse Award on four separate occasions and is known as North America's impressive jockey. By 1997, Day had become the fourth rider ever to notch 7,000 career wins.

Eddie Delahoussaye- Once known as a one time regular on the top 10 of national earnings, the Louisiana native had rebounded from some ordinary years recently to stand in as number 22 in earnings. Delahoussaye has been a headliner for nearly 30 years since his first horse racing event in Louisiana. He competed throughout the Midwest prior to heading to California during the late 70's, and became one of the industry's leading jockeys. He has a case full of trophies including a 1978 Eclipse Award, 1991 George Woolf Award, and has received a plaque from the Racing Hall of Fame.

Gary Stevens- After returning to racing horses after a ten month retirement, Gary Stevens resumed his riding career again in December 1999. After his opening day in Santa Anita, he shocked the world again by retiring. While he was retired, Stevens became an assistant trainer for Alex Hassinger of The Thoroughbred Corporation.

Stevens then returned to the circuit after he reached a settlement with Lloyds of London, in which he received a disability package from them. His day at Churchill Downs gave him an enormous win with the Churchill Downs Distaff Handicap while riding Chilukki, and piloting War Chant to win the Breeders Cup Mile. He is ranked at number 2000 with a total of 36 wins and takes home earnings of $3,167,958. He became a part of the Racing Hall of Fame in 1997, and earned an Eclipse Award in 1998. He has been racing horses since 1979.

These are just a few of the riders who have caught media attention over the past several decades. Each jockey has worked hard in obtaining their awards and cash winnings. If you follow the trends of how jockeys perform prior to betting, you may see who will become the future Hall of Famers in the horse racing circuit.