2026 Kentucky Derby jockeys, purse breakdown: How much prize money will the winning jockey will take home?

• First: $3.1 million
• Second: $1 million
• Third: $500,000
• Fourth: $250,000
• Fifth: $150,000

How much will the winning jockey make?

Jockeys at the Kentucky Derby negotiate a guaranteed riding fee of at least $500 to run the race, but there is a potential for a massive payday for the riders that finish in the money. The typical prize split for the winning horse is 80% going to the owners, 10% to the trainer and 10% to the jockey. Last year, Junior Alvarado took home $310,000 for riding Sovereignty to the winner's circle and will look to go back-to-back on Chief Wallabee this year.

With the purse remaining the same for this year, the winning jockey in the 152nd Run for the Roses will earn that same $310,000 prize -- with some of that money going to the jockey's agent and valet as well. The jockeys who finish in second and third typically take home 5% of the purse, which is $50,000 and $25,000, respectively.

2026 Kentucky Derby jockeys

The 21 jockeys hoping to ride their horse to the winner's circle and that six-figure payday are:

• Irad Ortiz Jr. (Renegade; 4-1)
• Manny Franco (Albus; 30-1)
• Hector I. Barrios (Intrepido; 50-1)
• Martin Garcia (Litmus Test; 50-1)
• Luis Saez (Commandment; 6-1)
• Atsuya Nishimura (Danon Bourbon; 20-1)
• Mike Smith (So Happy; 15-1)
• Javier Castellano (The Puma; 10-1)
• Ryusei Sakai (Wonder Dean; 30-1)
• Jaime Torres (Incredibolt; 20-1)
• Junior Alvarado (Chief Wallabee; 8-1)
• Juan Hernandez (Potente; 20-1)
• Flavien Prat (Emerging Market; 15-1)
• Edwin Maldonado (Pavlovian; 30-1)
• Brian Hernandez Jr. (Six Speed; 50-1)
• John Velazquez (Further Ado; 6-1)
• Jose Ortiz (Golden Tempo; 30-1)
• Alex Achard (Great White; 50-1)
• Joseph Ramos (Ocelli; 50-1)
• Emisael Jaramillo (Robusta; 50-1)
• Brian Hernandez Jr. (Corona de Oro; 50-1)