Protecting Riders.
ADVANCING SAFETY.
ELEVATING THE SPORT.
Protecting Riders.
ADVANCING SAFETY.
ELEVATING THE SPORT.
This Guild belongs to every member. Our strength comes from standing together—for today's riders and for future generations of jockeys.
— welcome to the new jockeys' guild website
A Welcome from Our Co-Chairmen
It is an honor to serve as Co-Chairmen of the Jockeys' Guild. Alongside our fellow Board members and dedicated staff, we are committed to representing every Guild member and strengthening the programs, benefits, and resources that support jockeys and their families.
As we begin this new chapter, we also want to recognize the extraordinary leadership of Johnny Velazquez. After nearly two decades serving as Chairman and later Co-Chairman, Johnny leaves an incredible legacy of service to the Guild and our industry. While stepping aside from the Co-Chair role, he remains an active Board member, and we are honored to continue building upon the foundation he helped create.
Since 1940, the Jockeys' Guild has existed to serve one purpose: to be the unified voice of professional jockeys. Together, we continue working to improve safety, advocate for fair compensation, expand insurance and wellness benefits, provide mental health resources, and create new educational opportunities through the Jockeys' Guild Education Foundation.
Thank you for your continued support and for the pride you take in being a member of the Jockeys' Guild.
Mike E. Smith & Javier Castellano
Jockeys' Guild 2026-2027 Co-Chairmen
— why we're here
Our Mission & Purpose
Since its founding, Jockeys’ Guild has served as the national voice and protective force for professional jockeys, ensuring the athletes who risk their lives every day receive fair treatment, essential protections, and a stronger, safer workplace.
Over the decades, the Guild has driven major improvements in rider safety, healthcare, insurance, and professional rights—many of which did not exist before the Guild fought for them.
— STRENGTH IN UNITY
Why the Guild Matters
By uniting jockeys under one national organization, the Guild strengthens safety standards, protects livelihoods, and advocates for long-term industry reform. Its presence in the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing industry creates accountability, elevates professional standards, and helps secure a sustainable future for both riders and the sport itself.
With a forward-looking approach, the Guild continues to anticipate challenges, innovate protections, and ensure that every jockey—past, present, and future—has the support and advocacy they deserve.
Our Continued Commitment
The Guild remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting jockey safety, championing riders’ rights, securing fair compensation, expanding meaningful benefits, and ensuring that every jockey
rides with the protection, respect, and dignity they deserve.
Jockey of the Week
KENDRICK CARMOUCHE
KENDRICK CARMOUCHE WINS (G2) SUBURBAN, VOTED JOCKEY OF THE WEEK JUNE 29-JULY 5
Kendrick Carmouche may have had only one mount during Saratoga’s opening weekend but his expert ride aboard Phileas Fogg garnered Jockey of the Week honors for June 29-July 5 by the panel of racing experts.
On Saturday, trainer Gustavo Rodriguez gave Carmouche a leg up aboard Phileas Fogg in defense of his narrow 2025 victory in the Suburban (G2).
Coming into the race off a win in an allowance race at Aqueduct May 1, Phileas Fogg went off at odds of 8-1 in the field of 11 breaking from post position six. With regular pilot Carmouche, Phileas Fogg broke on top going straight to lead while racing on the rail. Longshot Yo Daddy with Ricardo Santana, Jr. was to his outside and Forged Steel with Flavien Prat raced in third. Race favorite Antiquarian with John Velazquez stumbled at the start and raced in mid-pack.
Phileas Fogg reached the far turn with a three-length advantage and at the top of the stretch had a commanding seven-length advantage.
The 6-year-old gelding continued to show the way down the stretch leaving his 10 rivals in his wake posting a win by an increasing 10 lengths in 2:01.70 in the mile and one quarter test for older horses.
“By the time I turned on the backside, I knew the race was won,” said Carmouche to NYRA publicity. “My horse was taking me. At no part during the race he was straining. I just had to wait to pull the trigger. I didn’t even do that. I just let him go a little.”
“I know last time when I worked him, I let him go nice and easy,” Carmouche continued. “Oh my gosh, he wanted to pull me out of the saddle the rest of the workout, Gustavo brought this horse in good condition. I’m just glad I was the pilot again to get another Suburban.”
Carmouche, 42, is a native of Vinton, Louisiana and won seven riding titles at Parx before making New York his home base in 2015. He became the 86th rider to achieve 4,000 North American wins on April 5, 2025 at Aqueduct and was named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious George Woolf Memorial Award.
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Armando Ayuso who won the Great Lady M (G2) at Los Alamitos aboard Sweet Azteca, reigning Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat who won the Kelso (G3) in a dead heat with another nominee Jose Ortiz aboard Mi Bago. Ortiz also won the Wild Applause Stakes. Hall of Famer Joel Rosario won the Belmont Oaks (G1) with Kensington Lane and fellow Hall of Fame member John Velazquez won the Belmont Derby (G1) aboard Title Roll.
Statistics provided by: Equibase
Photo: Angelo Lieto/NYRA
