The 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs features a mix of seasoned champions and promising newcomers among its jockeys. Notable returning winners include Junior Alvarado, who seeks back-to-back victories riding Chief Wallabee, and Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, aiming for another win aboard The Puma. Other experienced riders like Irad Ortiz Jr., Jose Ortiz, Flavien Prat, Luis Saez, Mike Smith, and John Velazquez bring strong credentials and competitive mounts, including favorites Renegade, Golden Tempo, Emerging Market, Commandment, So Happy, and Further Ado. These jockeys have multiple Derby starts and have shown top finishes in previous years, highlighting their expertise and potential impact on the race.
The Derby also welcomes several first-time riders such as Christopher Elliott, Juan Hernandez, Edwin Maldonado, Atsuya Nishimura, Cristian Torres, Jaime Torres, and Ryusei Sakai. These younger or international jockeys bring fresh energy and notable achievements from other circuits, including strong prep race performances and stakes wins. Many are paired with promising horses like Right to Party, Potente, Pavlovian, Danon Bourbon, Silent Tactic, Incredibolt, and Wonder Dean, making the 2026 Derby an exciting blend of veteran skill and emerging talent poised to compete for the prestigious Triple Crown opener.
