There are few more lucrative sports in the world than horse racing. Regular winners at the highest level can earn millions in prize money, with the most notable events on the schedule being where the top names in the sport show their worth.
It is during the times of these events when newcomers to betting look to claim a horse racing bonus. But, who are some of the jockeys that novice bettors should be aware of in 2025?
James McDonald
James McDonald is widely considered to be one of the world’s best riders, landing the Longines World’s Best Jockey title for the second time in 2024. The New Zealand-born rider has won a staggering 122 Group One winners during his career, and has continued his dominance at the highest level in Australia throughout 2025.
Among his standout wins include the Champions Stakes, Chipping Norton Stakes, and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which were all aboard legendary star Via Sistina.
Ryan Moore
There are few riders able to get it right in the biggest races as often as the legendary Ryan Moore. The stable jockey for the Aidan O’Brien operation has ridden over 200 Group One winners, and is the most decorated at the highest level in Great Britain.
A mixed season for Moore saw him miss out on rides at the Breeders’ Cup due to a serious injury. However, he had already shown his talented earlier in the calendar year after riding winners in the Epsom Oaks, Coronation Cup, and the Eclipse Stakes.
Irad Ortiz Jr
Irad Ortiz Jr is considered to be one of the leading jockeys in the U.S., having previously landed victories in the 2016 and 2022 Belmont Stakes. In 2025, Ortiz Jr is the leading jockey in America in terms of race wins, and is only narrowly behind in terms of prize money.
The 33-year-old has continued to be a big rider for notable races, evident after winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at the end of October aboard Shisospicy.
Flavien Prat
No jockey in the U.S. has accumulated as much prize money in 2025 as Flavien Prat. The leading jockey has won over $36 million during the North American season. His dominance on track was reflected at Aqueduct at the start of November after becoming the first rider in track history to register six straight victories.
The Frenchman has also enjoyed major success in big races, landing the honors in both the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Del Mar.
Jose Ortiz
Jose Ortiz is widely regarded as one of the best jockeys in North America. He was the 2017 Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Jockey, and this season, he has continued to perform at a high level.
Ortiz has registered 277 victories in 2025, winning over $30 million in prize money. His standout wins in Grade One company came aboard Nitrogen and Sandman in the G1 Alabama and G1 Arkansas Derby, respectively.
Luis Saez
Luis Saez is regarded as one of the most trusted riders in the weighing room in the United States, and his record this season speaks for itself. The rider has won over $24 million in prize money, accumulating over 210 victories.
His record on the biggest stage has been proven with a coupe of Grade Two victories. However, his standout victory was achieved on Good Cheer in the 2025 Kentucky Oaks.
John Velazquez
John Velazquez is a high-class veteran in the U.S., winning 15 times at the Breeders’ Cup, and accumulating six Triple Crown race wins. Velazquez continues to ride at an incredibly high level, reflected after winning over $20 million in prize money in 2025.
His record for big-race riding saw him land success aboard Fierceness in the G1 Pacific Classic and Ted Noffey in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Sean Bowen
Jumps racing is the most popular form of horse racing in the United Kingdom, and few jockeys are able to get close to the levels set by Sean Bowen.
The 28-year-old was crowned British Jump Racing Champion Jockey for the first time at the end of 2024-25, and he looks set to retain the honor this season after already racking up a staggering 130 wins. He will have big chances in some of the championship races throughout the season, and he could have a leading Gold Cup chance in the form of Haiti Couleurs.
Oisin Murphy
Aside from Moore, Oisin Murphy is considered to be the leading flat rider in the UK. Murphy is a five-time Champion Jockey, winning his most recent title at the end of the 2025 season.
Murphy is a trusted name in big races throughout the season, having won countless races at the highest level. His standout wins in 2025 came aboard Never So Brave in the City of York Stakes, and Lead Artist in the Lockinge Stakes.
Christophe Lemaire
French rider Christophe Lemaire is regarded as one of the world’s best, having achieved over 2,000 winners across the world.
The 46-year-old has been the standout rider in Japan since moving to the nation, and was trusted to take the ride on the legendary Equinox throughout his career. Lemaire’s standout wins in 2025 have come aboard Embroidery and Ascoli Piceno in the Shuka Sho and Victoria Mile, respectively.
