HORSE RACING
Kentucky Derby list of winning horses: Which jockeys have the most wins?
Throughout the history of the Kentucky Derby, many jockeys have made their mark by winning the race on a number of occasions.
The Kentucky Derby is widely recognized as the most prestigious horse racing event in the United States and has been an annual tradition since its inception in 1875 and takes place at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, every year on the first Saturday of May. This race is integral to the esteemed Triple Crown of American Thoroughbred racing, along with the Preakness Stakes in mid-May and the Belmont Stakes in early June.
The Derby race is exclusive to three-year-old horses and has been limited to a maximum of 20 horses since 1975. Fillies are required to carry 121 pounds (55 kg), while colts must carry 126 pounds (57 kg) during the race. In 1896, the race distance was shortened from 1.5 miles (approximately 2,400 meters) to 1.25 miles (roughly 2,000 meters) and has remained the standard distance for the past 125 years.
Jockeys with the most Kentucky derby wins
The record for the most wins by a jockey in the Kentucky Derby is held by Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack, who have each won the race five times.
Bill Hartack
Bill Hartack, a legendary jockey with a career spanning over 20 years, achieved an impressive feat by clinching five victories in just nine appearances at the Kentucky Derby. Despite falling short of the elusive Triple Crown title, Hartack managed to guide Majestic Prince and Northern Dancer to triumph in the Preakness Stakes.
Although Hartack has had notable achievements in horse racing, he has also experienced his fair share of near misses. For instance, he guided Majestic Prince to a second-place finish in the Belmont Stakes, and Northern Dancer could only secure a third-place finish in the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Winning Derby horses: Iron Liege (1957), Venetian Way (1960), Decidedly (1962), Northern Dancer (1964), Majestic Prince (1969)
Eddie Arcaro
Eddie Arcaro, a renowned jockey inducted into the Hall of Fame, achieved an outstanding record of five Kentucky Derby wins out of 21 career mounts. Arcaro’s first Derby triumph came in 1938 with Lawrin, while his final victory was in 1952 aboard Hill Gail. Except for Hoop Jr., trained by Ivan H. Parke, Arcaro collaborated with the six-time Derby-winning trainer Ben Jones for all his other Derby victories.
Arcaro’s noteworthy performances did not stop at the Kentucky Derby. He secured six Preakness victories, the highest number by any jockey in history, and is also tied for the most Belmont Stakes wins with six. In a remarkable feat, Arcaro is the only jockey to clinch the Triple Crown title twice, with Whirlaway in 1941 and Citation in 1948.
In addition, Arcaro’s impressive record includes three second-place finishes and two third-place finishes in the Kentucky Derby. These achievements solidify his status as one of the all-time greats in horse racing.
Winning Derby horses: Lawrin (1938), Whirlaway (1941), Hoop Jr. (1945), Citation (1948), Hill Gail (1952)
Other celebrated jockeys
Following closely behind them is another esteemed jockey, Bill Shoemaker, who has won the Kentucky Derby four times. Additionally, four jockeys, including the legendary triple crown-winning jockey, Victor Espinoza, have won the race three times (Isaac Murphy, Earle Sande, Angel Cordero Jr., and Gary Stevens)
Many other jockeys have achieved victory at the Kentucky Derby over the years, but the riders mentioned above have cemented their place in the history books of this prestigious event.