10 Kentucky Derby jockeys you need to know for 2024

Apr 29, 2024 Sara Dacus/TwinSpires.com

Every jockey dreams of having a mount in the Kentucky Derby (G1), and many of the nation’s top riders have yet to earn a win in the iconic contest. The storylines of the jockeys who make the cut for the first Saturday in May contribute to the rooting interest of the premier race.

Here’s a look at 10 jockey you need to know for 2024.

Tyler Gaffalione: Sierra Leone

Tyler Gaffalione’s father and grandfather were jockeys. The latter competed in the 1984 Kentucky Derby, and 33 years later, Tyler was in the starting gate aboard Patch, a one-eyed horse. Gaffalione has had six Derby mounts since then, and his best finish was seventh in 2019 with War of Will. But three weeks later, Gaffalione guided War of Will to victory in the Preakness (G1).

Sierra Leone may be Gaffalione's best Derby shot yet. The son of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner has accumulated the most qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, taking Gaffalione to the winner’s circle in the Blue Grass (G1) and the Risen Star (G2).

Gaffalione won the 2015 Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice jockey. The 29-year-old has earned leading rider titles at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Gulfstream, and Kentucky Downs. Last year, he ranked second in North America by earnings and third by wins.

John Velazquez: Fierceness

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez has won the Kentucky Derby three times: in 2011 with Animal Kingdom, in 2017 with Always Dreaming, and in 2020 with Authentic. This ties him with seven other jockeys for the fourth-most Kentucky Derby wins of all time. A victory aboard Florida Derby (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Fierceness, who scored by enormous lengths in both those races, would tie Velazquez with Bill Shoemaker for the third-most wins behind Eddie Arcaro (five) and Bill Hartack (five).

The 52-year old has been an elite jockey since he moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States in 1990. He tops the career purse earnings list in North American jockey history with over $478 million and he has won 20 Breeders’ Cup races, a tie for second.

Flavien Prat: Catching Freedom

The son of a Standardbred trainer, Flavien Prat was the champion apprentice in his native France in 2009. He began riding full-time in the United States in late 2014. The 31-year-old has experienced Derby success in a short period of time, earning five top-three finishes with his first six mounts.

He won the 2019 Kentucky Derby with Country House, who crossed the finish line second but was promoted to first upon the disqualification of Maximum Security. He also piloted Rombauer to victory in the 2021 Preakness. This year, he’s on Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Catching Freedom.

Antonio Fresu: Stronghold

Fourth-generation jockey Antonio Fresu makes his first Kentucky Derby appearance with Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Sunland Park Derby (G3) victor Stronghold. Stronghold is also the first Kentucky Derby starter for trainer Philip D’Amato and owners-breeders Eric and Sharon Waller.

The 32-year-old is a native of Italy, where his career began. He has also ridden extensively in England and Dubai, which gave him experience with larger fields similar to the 20-horse Kentucky Derby. In Dubai, West Coast trainer Doug O’Neill encouraged him to try America. Fresu became a leading rider on the Southern California circuit in 2023.

Keith Asmussen: Just Steel

Keith Asmussen has been to the Kentucky Derby almost every year he has been alive: with his father, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. Now, after less than two years of riding full-time, the 25-year-old will go to the Derby as a jockey.

Keith Asmussen has been involved in his father’s stable for years, galloping horses and working under assistant trainers. He had an agreement with his father that he would complete a college degree, and he earned a master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin in professional accounting in 2022. He began riding full-time shortly after.

While his father helped him get started in the irons, his Derby opportunity comes from another Hall of Fame trainer, D. Wayne Lukas. Asmussen rides Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Just Steel, a son of Triple Crown winner Justify. Asmussen is currently second in the jockey standings at Oaklawn Park.

Irad Ortiz Jr.: Domestic Product

Irad Ortiz Jr. has led all jockeys in North America in wins for the last seven years. He’s also won five Eclipse Awards as Outstanding Jockey, two editions of the Belmont (G1), and 20 Breeders’ Cup races, with the latter number tying him as the second-winningest jockey in Breeders' Cup history.

The 31-year old has made seven Kentucky Derby appearances, and his best finish was fourth in 2019 on Improbable. Last year, Ortiz was slated to ride favorite Forte, who was scratched hours before the race because of a bruised right front foot. This year, Ortiz rides Domestic Product, who won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and finished second in the Holy Bull (G3).

Joel Rosario: Track Phantom

Joel Rosario won the 2013 Kentucky Derby with Orb. He’s competed in 11 others, and the Dominican Republic native won the Belmont in 2014 and 2019.

Track Phantom has finished in the top three in four Kentucky Derby preps at Fair Grounds. The 39-year-old also rode Deterministic this year on the Derby trail, guiding the colt to a Derby-qualifying victory in the Gotham (G3), but Deterministic's connections decided not to enter him after his eighth-place finish in the Wood Memorial (G2).

Luis Saez: Dornoch

Luis Saez has competed in 10 editions of the Kentucky Derby. He crossed the finish line first in 2019 aboard Maximum Security but was disqualified and placed 17th for interference. The 31-year-old’s best official Derby finish was a third in the 2021 running with Essential Quality.

Dornoch earned Derby qualifying points with wins in the Remsen (G2) and the Fountain of Youth (G2) under Saez's guidance, but in his final prep he finished a disappointing fourth in the Blue Grass.

Jesus Castanon: West Saratoga

Castanon, 51, is getting a second shot at the Kentucky Derby, 13 years after his first appearance, when he rode Shackleford and finished fourth. He piloted the horse to a Preakness win two weeks later. This year, Castanon is on West Saratoga, who was purchased for the bargain price of $11,000.

Castanon’s late father was a trainer in his native Mexico, and brothers Tony and Jose also took up riding careers. Castanon's wife, Roly, has worked as a trainer and jockey.

Ryusei Sakai: Forever Young

Ryusei Sakai is a rising star in Japan who was set to make his North American debut in the 2023 Kentucky Derby on Continuar. Two days before the race, the horse’s connections decided the colt wasn’t ready and scratched him. Sakai has another chance this year with Forever Young, who is considered one of the strongest contenders Japan has sent to the Kentucky Derby.

Sakai, 26, ranked in the top eight in the Japan Racing Association jockey rankings in 2022 and 2023 and currently ranks sixth in 2024. He scored his first Group 1 win in 2022 and has also ridden in Australia, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia.