Many people recognise John Velazquez as one of the most respected and successful jockeys in the horse racing world for all the records he has broken in his three-decade career.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, John has a career full of achievements, including 6 Triple Crown race wins and 15 Breeders’ Cup victories that made him a legend in the sport.
He was also honoured with induction into the Horse Racing Hall of Fame, a well-deserved recognition of his talent in 2012. With hard work and dedication, he has not only built a name for himself but also a large fortune that many of his fans are curious about, and if you are one of them, we have shared the details in the post below.
Early Life
Born on 24th November 1971, John Velazquez grew up in Carolina, Puerto Rico, where he started riding horses at a young age and quickly became good at it. He also attended jockey school for a short period to perfect his skills, which helped him win his first trophy in 1990.
He later shifted to New York and trained under a well-known jockey, Angel Cordero Jr., who also helped him learn English, as John wasn’t fluent in the language.
John credits Cordero not only for teaching him how to ride professionally but also for guiding him in life and helping him achieve great success.
Beginning of Career
John Velazquez began making a name for himself when he claimed the first of five riding titles at Saratoga, a major horse racing track, in 1998, and won six races in a single day at the same place a few years later in 2001.
Mastering his skills, John became North America’s top-earning jockey and also bagged the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 2004, following which he also broke the national earnings record that Jerry Bailey had held previously.
He later won the Kentucky Derby in 2011, which was followed by a win at the 136th Preakness Stakes in 2012. He also won the Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2013, the year he achieved many more successes and became the most winning jockey in Saratoga’s history.
He became the first jockey to surpass $300 million in total earnings, which explains why he is considered the best.
Relationship
Talking about John Velazquez’s personal life, he is a married man, and his wife’s name is Leona O’Brien, the daughter of Leo O’Brien, a famous racehorse trainer. Though the year of their marriage is not revealed, they share two kids, including Michael Patrick and Lerina.
Major Source of Income and Net Worth
John Velazquez has spent three decades in the field and earned a massive fortune, winning many races. As of recent estimates, his net worth in 2025 stands somewhere near $300 million, the majority of which he earned through his career as a jockey.
He received almost $186 thousand after emerging victorious at the 147th Kentucky Derby and becoming the first rider ever to reach the $300 million mark in earnings.
