New York Racing Association Nyra Menu
Wager Online with NYRA Bets Nyra Bets Menu
Longines
Chat Email Facebook Twitter Instagram Snapchat YouTube LinkedIn
Login | Sign Up
| Log Out
Search
NYRA
About NYRA Board Meetings Board of Directors Community Relations Contact Us Sponsorships Media Guide
NYRA Bets
Home About NYRA Bets Handicapping Promotional Calendar Sign Up Bonus Contact
belmont Property Menu
NYRA
Login | Sign Up
| Log Out
Tickets Calendar Racing News Horsemen About Visit Bet Now
Watch Live
See Broadcast Schedule
Watch Live
Search
2150 Hempstead Turnpike
Elmont, NY 11003
Directions Lodging Tickets
Tracks
Aqueduct Belmont Saratoga Belmont Stakes Racing Festival

John R. Velazquez

photo of John R. Velazquez
Birthdate: November 24, 1971
Birthplace: Carolina, Puerto Rico
Height: 5 feet, 6 inches
Weight: 112 pounds

NEW YORK RIDING TITLES

  • 2011 Saratoga, 54 winners
  • 2010 Saratoga, 57
  • 2005 Aqueduct fall, 23
  • 2004 New York, 228
  • 2004 Belmont fall, 58
  • 2004 Saratoga, 64
  • 2004 Belmont spring/summer, 77
  • 2003 New York, 230
  • 2003 Aqueduct fall, 26
  • 2003 Belmont fall, 44
  • 2003 Saratoga, 61
  • 2003 Belmont spring/summer, 69
  • 2002 New York, 215
  • 2002 Aqueduct fall, 32
  • 2002 Belmont fall, 50
  • 2002 Belmont spring/summer, 58
  • 2002 Aqueduct spring, 33 (tie)
  • 2001 New York, 239
  • 2001 Aqueduct fall, 38
  • 2001 Belmont spring/summer, 66
  • 2001 Aqueduct spring, 43
  • 2000 Aqueduct fall, 37
  • 1999 Aqueduct fall, 23
  • 1998 Aqueduct fall, 25 (tie)
  • 1998 Saratoga, 31
  • 1996 Aqueduct spring, 27

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame in 2012 
  • Won his 14th Breeders’ Cup race aboard Forever Unbridled in the 2017 Distaff
  • Became North America’s all-time leading money-earning jockey on Oct. 13, 2013 at Belmont Park, surpassing Pat Day’s mark of $297,914,839
  • Became Saratoga’s all-time leading rider with 694 victories on July 27, 2013, eclipsing the previous record set by Jerry Bailey 
  • Earned career victory No. 5,000 aboard Galloping Giraffe on June 14, 2013 at Belmont 
  • Got his second Belmont Stakes victory in 2012, piloting Union Rags to a neck win over Paynter 
  • Won his first Kentucky Derby in 2011 aboard Animal Kingdom and got his second in 2017 with Always Dreaming
  • The 2009 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award recipient
  • Won career victory No. 4,000 at Belmont Park on Sept. 28, 2008 aboard Rogue Agent 
  • Won his first Triple Crown race aboard filly Rags to Riches in the 2007 Belmont Stakes 
  • Won 2005 Dubai World Cup on Roses in May 
  • 2004 and 2005 Eclipse Award as Top Jockey 
  • Won career race 3,000 on July 29, 2004 aboard Runingforpresident at Saratoga; that day, more than 35,000 fans received a John Velazquez bobble-head doll 
  • Won six races at Saratoga on Sept. 3, 2001 
  • Won his first Grade 1 stakes race in 1995 on Turk Passer in the Turf Classic at Belmont 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Chairman of the Jockeys’ Guild Board of Directors; also on the Board of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund
  • Entered Puerto Rico’s jockey school in 1988
  • Moved to New York in March 1990 under the guidance of jockey Angel Cordero Jr., who would later become his agent
  • Father-in-law is trainer Leo O’Brien

FIRST WINNER

  • Rodas, 1990, El Comandante, Puerto Rico
  • My Brother Jay, March 12, 1990, Aqueduct

NYRA Career Stats

Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings
5743 1007 835 765 $112,466,297.00

Recent Years

Year Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings
2021 37 3 5 4 $149,269.00
2019 783 137 122 107 $18,136,363
2018 648 112 92 77 $12,535,026
2017 608 121 87 91 $10,153,781
2016 693 131 91 90 $12,698,710
2015 637 121 90 91 $12,639,828
2014 655 110 103 79 $11,404,006
2013 543 94 88 83 $10,974,485
2012 485 82 57 51 $9,835,080
Across the Board Podcast Belmont Showdown Bet Now Betting 101 Betting FAQ Cash Card Cross Country Wagers Entries Handicapping Challenges Meet Statistics Mike Venezia Award NYRA Wagering Info Photo Finishes Post Times & Wagering Menu Race Day Live Race Replays Results Scratches & Changes Simulcasting Stakes Schedule Stewards Decisions Talking Horses TimeformUS Race Analysis Track Specifications Track Trends Trakus TV Schedule Turf Triple Series Wagering Promotions Workouts
NBC Sports Longines America's Best Racing
MSG+ Runhappy
© 2021 The New York Racing Association. All Rights Reserved.

Gambling Problems? The New York Racing Association encourages responsible wagering. If gambling is a problem for you or someone you care about, help is available 24 hours a day. Call toll-free 1-877-8-HOPE-NY

Privacy Policy | Ethics | About NYRA | Careers

Contact Us

Send us your feedback | Sponsorship Opportunities

Aqueduct Now Racing Belmont Saratoga
Tickets Watch Now Visit Calendar Bet Now NYRA Bets Racing Racing Entries Results Race Replays Scratches & Changes Stakes Schedule Talking Horses News Horsemen Shop