John Velazquez is a well-known Puerto Rican rider who has won 15 Breeders’ Cup races as well as six Triple Crown events. In 2012, he was inducted into the Horse Racing Hall of Fame. On May 1, 2021, John just guided Medina Spirit to victory in the Kentucky Derby. John Velazquez has a net worth of $300 million as of 2022.
| Full Name | John R Velazquez |
| Birth Date | November 24, 1971 |
| Birth Place | Carolina, Puerto Rico |
| Profession | Jockey |
| Wife | Leona O’Brien |
| Net Worth | $300 million |
Early life
On November 24, 1971, in Carolina, Puerto Rico, John Velazquez is born. During his time in Puerto Rico, he learned to ride a horse. He has really spent one and a half years in jockey school. On the 3rd of January in 1990, John won his first race. He then moved to New York State to study under Angel Cordero Jr.
When he lived in New York State, John didn’t speak English. When John lived with Cordero for a while, he taught his daughter English by viewing “The Little Mermaid” twice a month for two and a half months. John credits Cordero for teaching him not only how to ride but also how to live.
Velazquez’s net worth and career
He began at Aqueduct, where he won his first horse race. In 1998, he won the first of five championships, which were contested at Saratoga Race Course. He set a Saratoga record when he won six races in a single day on September 3, 2001.
In 2004, John was named the top jockey in North America by earning the most money. The Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey was given to him the same year. He shattered Jerry Bailey’s national earnings record just after a year in 2005.
On May 7, 2011, while riding a champion thoroughbred racehorse named Animal Kingdom, John won his first Kentucky Derby. He won the 136th Preakness Stakes once again with Animal Kingdom. In the 2012 Belmont Stakes, he earned his third Triple Crown victory. With Wise Dan, a thoroughbred racehorse, John won the Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2012 and 2013.
In 2013, John won the 5000th race at Belmont Park, among other accomplishments. He became Saratoga’s all-time leading rider on July 27. He was also named the all-time top money winner among North American jockeys on October 13th.
In 2015, Velazquez surpassed $300 million in total earnings to become the all-time money winner. With Always Dreaming, John won the 2017 Kentucky Derby. At the 2017 Breeders’ Cup, he competed once more, ultimately winning the championship.
On September 5, 2020, John won his third Kentucky Derby with Authentic, a top thoroughbred racehorse. He won the 147th Kentucky Derby with Medina Spirit on May 1, 2021.
John Velazquez Personal Life
Leona O’Brien, John Velazquez’s wife. Leo O’Brien, a racehorse trainer, has a daughter named Leona. He has two children with his wife Leona, Lerina, and Michael Patrick.
John Velazquez Net Worth
John Velazquez is one of the most successful racehorse riders in history. His net worth is expected to exceed $300 million by the year 2022. He wins 10% of the first-place prize money, which amounts to $186 thousand, after winning the 147th Kentucky Derby. Velazquez also holds the record for becoming the first rider to earn $300 million.
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