From Eddie Arcaro to John Velazquez, a look at Kentucky Derby's winningest jockeys
Javier Castellano is one of the most successful jockeys of all time, with more than $398 million in career earnings.
It took him 16 tries to win the Kentucky Derby. Finally doing so, he said, was a dream come true.
"It's not (an) easy job; we all go up and down," the Maracaibo, Venezuela, native told reporters at Churchill Downs after riding Mage to victory in Derby 149 last year. "I never give up; I always try to do the right thing, work hard and try to find the right horse to win the race."
Ahead of the 150th Run for the Roses on May 4, The Courier Journal has put together a list of the winningest jockeys in the race's storied history.
It's rare company; only 11 have reached the winner's circle three or more times.
Two men, Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack, lead the group with five victories apiece.
John Velazquez would be vying for a seat at the table this go-around, but Medina Spirit's disqualification in 2021 cost him a fourth Derby win.
Here's a look at the all-time greats:
Eddie Arcaro
Derby mounts: 21
First-place finishes: 1938 (Lawrin), 1941 (Whirlaway), 1945 (Hoop Jr.), 1948 (Citation) and 1952 (Hill Gail)
Second-place finishes: Three
Third-place finishes: Two
Bill Hartack
Derby mounts: 12
First-place finishes: 1957 (Iron Liege), 1960 (Venetian Way), 1962 (Decidedly), 1964 (Northern Dancer) and 1969 (Majestic Prince)
Second-place finishes: One
Third-place finishes: N/A
Bill Shoemaker
Derby mounts: 26
First-place finishes: 1955 (Swaps), 1959 (Tomy Lee), 1965 (Lucky Debonair) and 1986 (Ferdinand)
Second-place finishes: Three
Third-place finishes: Four
Isaac Murphy
Derby mounts: 11
First-place finishes: 1884 (Buchanan), 1890 (Riley) and 1891 (Kingman)
Second-place finishes: One
Third-place finishes: Two
Earle Sande
Derby mounts: Eight
First-place finishes: 1923 (Zev), 1925 (Flying Ebony) and 1930 (Gallant Fox)
Second-place finishes: Two
Third-place finishes: N/A
Angel Cordero Jr.
Derby mounts: 17
First-place finishes: 1974 (Cannonade), 1976 (Bold Forbes) and 1985 (Spend a Buck)
Second-place finishes: One
Third-place finishes: N/A
Gary Stevens
Derby mounts: 22
First-place finishes: 1988 (Winning Colors), 1995 (Thunder Gulch) and 1998 (Silver Charm)
Second-place finishes: Three
Third-place finishes: One
Kent Desormeaux
Derby mounts: 22
First-place finishes: 1998 (Real Quiet), 2000 (Fusaichi Pegasus) and 2008 (Big Brown)
Second-place finishes: One
Third-place finishes: Four
Calvin Borel
Derby mounts: 12
First-place finishes: 2007 (Street Sense), 2009 (Mine That Bird) and 2010 (Super Saver)
Second-place finishes: N/A
Third-place finishes: One
Victor Espinoza
Derby mounts: 10
First-place finishes: 2002 (War Emblem), 2014 (California Chrome) and 2015 (American Pharoah)
Second-place finishes: N/A
Third-place finishes: One
John Velazquez
Derby mounts: 25
First-place finishes: 2011 (Animal Kingdom), 2017 (Always Dreaming) and 2020 (Authentic)
Second-place finishes: Two
Third-place finishes: N/A
Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby jockeys with most wins at Churchill Downs? Meet greats