Jockeys Who Made History: 5 Grand People from the Racing World

Rare is the jockey whose name extends beyond the confines of his sport. Horse racing—particularly Triple Crown events—is popular, but not to the extent that the people who make it happen ever become celebrities.

Every once and a while, a jockey is so good at what they do that they change that. Their achievements command attention outside the sport and cement their names permanently into its cannon.

From names in the Kentucky Oaks winners list to Triple Crown champions, these are names that made history.

Laffit Pincay Jr.

Easily one of the most decorated jockeys of all time. Born in 1946, Laffit Pincay Jr. enjoyed a lengthy, forty-year-long career, during which time he claimed—you’ll need to read this number twice to believe it—more than 9000 victories.

He got off to a fast start, winning eight of his first eleven races. He went on to win three consecutive victories at the Belmont Stakes, along with many other significant achievements.

In 2003, he retired from racing but remains a significant presence in the sport. He’s in the Hall of Fame. There is a statue of him on display at Santa Anita Park, and there is even an award given to members of the racing community that shows “integrity, dedication, and determination,” that bears his name.

It’s long been said that horse racing is a game of kings. Laffit Pincay is certainly one of them.

Frankie Dettori

Frankie Dettori might not have Laffit Pincay’s nearly ten thousand wins, but give him time. This jockey, born in 1970, is still at it. Born in Milan to a long line of jockeys—his father and grandfather were both well-known in the Italian racing scene.

You’d be hard-pressed to beat Dettori in terms of commitment. He dropped out of school at age thirteen to pursue his career as a jockey.

At fourteen, he relocated to the UK, where he began working with the well-known trainer Luca Cumani.

It was a successful partnership. Dettori was one of the only teenagers to ever win 100 races in a single season. He’s now accumulated more than 3000 victories—and counting.

Russell Baze

Russell Baze has won a staggering 12,000+ races, giving him the most career wins in the sport’s history. He was at it for decades before his retirement in 2016. He began racing as a teenager in his hometown of Walla Walla, Washington.

In the 90s he maintained a record of winning more than 400 races per year for five straight seasons. This achievement awarded him the Eclipse Special Award in 1995. A few years later, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Jerry Bailey

Retired in 2006, Jerry Bailey amassed many major wins during his thirty-year career. Born and raised in Texas, he acquired his first victory in New Mexico. He’d go on to win worldwide, including four times at the Dubai World Cup. He’s won the Triple Crown—twice—and fifteen Breeders’ Cup Races.

Though he’s no longer on the sport’s professional side, he sometimes provides commentary at major races for ESPN. Bailey is certainly more than qualified with nearly 6000 wins to his name.

Lester Piggott

Finally, there is Lester Piggott. If there’s one word you could use to describe his career, it’s this: longevity. Piggott was the youngest jockey to win 100 times in one season. He did not retire until he was nearly sixty years old.

His first victory came at only twelve years old, and he’d go on winning for nearly fifty years to come.

Interestingly enough, success did not come easily for Piggott. At 5’8, he wasn’t exactly a tall man, but he was considerably bigger than most jockeys. In a sport where most successful riders hover at around 120 pounds, it was understandably difficult for him to maintain a suitable weight.

Like so many of the world’s greatest athletes, he found ways to overcome this hardship.

Piggot picked up more than 4000 wins during his incredible career.

Household Names?

Maybe not quite. Nor, for that matter, do they need to be. For the average person, who watches horse racing once a year with friends and a mint julep in their hands, the game is mostly about the horses. Maybe based on the animal’s name, they’ll place a bet and scream at the TV for two minutes or so, only to do it all again next year.

Jockeys, despite their good work, appeal to a very specific group of fans—people with a true and unabiding love for horse racing. The people featured on this list not only succeeded in their time—they elevated the sport for generations to come.