John Velasquez is a famous Puerto Rican jockey who has won 15 Breeders' Cups and 6 Triple Crown races. He is a jockey inducted into the Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2012. John recently saddled the horse Medina Spirit to win the 2021 Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2021. In 2021, John Velasquez is worth approximately $300 million.
| 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
John Velasquez was born on November 24, 1971 in Carolina, Puerto Rico. He learned to drive while in Puerto Rico. In fact, he studied at the horseman’s school for a year and a half. John recorded his first race win on January 3, 1990. He then moved to upstate New York and trained with Angel Cordero Jr.
John did not speak English during his time in New York State. After a while, while living with Cordero, John and his daughter learned English by watching the movie The Little Mermaid in two and a half months. John paid tribute to Cordero, from whom he learned not only how to ride, but also everything necessary to survive.
Net worth and career of John Velasquez
Velazques registered his first equestrian title in the aqueduct. He won the first of five titles held at Saratoga Thoroughbred Racecourse in 1998. On September 3, 2001 at Saratoga he set a record by winning 6 races in one day.
John became the highest paid jockey in North America in 2004. That same year, he received the Eclipse Award for top jockey. Just one year later, in 2005, he surpassed the national income compiled by Jerry Bailey.
John recorded his first Kentucky Derby victory on May 7, 2011, riding the Animal Kingdom Championship Thoroughbred racehorse. With Animal Kingdom, he won again in the 136th Preakness Stakes. He ran his third Triple Crown race in the 2012 Belmont Stakes. John won the Breeders’ Cup in 2012 and 2013 riding Thoroughbred racehorse Wise Dan.
John reached several milestones in 2013, including winning the 5,000th race at Belmont Park. On July 27, he became Saratoga’s top driver. Similarly, on October 13, he was declared the best winner of any jockey in North America.
Velasquez became the first winner in 2015 with a total income of more than $300 million. John then competed in the 2017 Kentucky Derby with Always Dreaming, which he won. He returned to compete in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup and ended up winning the trophy.
John recorded his third Kentucky Derby victory on September 5, 2020, riding the thoroughbred racehorse Authentic Champion. Most recently, he won the 147th Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2021 at Medina Spirit.
Personal life of John Velasquez
John Velasquez is married to Leona O’Brien. Leona is the daughter of racehorse trainer Leo O’Brien. He has two children, Lerina and Michael Patrick, with his wife Leona.
John Velasquez net worth
John Velasquez is one of the highest paid jockeys in the history of the sport. As of 2021, the net worth of him is estimated to be more than $300 million. After winning the 147th Kentucky Derby, he receives 10% of the first prize, which is $186,000. Velasquez is also the first broker to exceed $300 million in earnings.