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
Protecting Riders.
ADVANCING SAFETY.
ELEVATING THE SPORT.
— 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
JOSÉ ORTIZ
JOSE ORTIZ WINS GRADED STAKES AT CHURCHILL CLOSING WEEKEND
VOTED JOCKEY OF THE WEEK
JUNE 22-JUNE 28
The year 2026 may be the Year of the Horse according to Chinese astrology but 2026 is also undoubtedly the year of Jose Ortiz. Adding to his already lengthy list of graded stakes races this year, Ortiz closed out the spring meet at Churchill Downs with wins in the Stephen Foster (G1), the Wise Dan (G2) and the Debutante. Ortiz may have finished in second place in the Churchill Downs jockey standings but he led all riders with 11 stakes wins.
The panel of racing experts voted Ortiz Jockey of the Week for June 22-June 28.
On Saturday, Ortiz was named on five horses for Steve Asmussen, winning the third race before the Hall of Fame trainer gave Ortiz a leg up on Lagynos in the Wise Dan Stakes (G2). Off as the 3-2 favorite in the field of nine, Lagynos saved ground racing in third. Near the three-sixteenths pole, Lagynos came off the rail to take the lead and win by ¾-lengths in 1:41.68 for a mile and one-sixteenth on the turf. It was the fifth consecutive stakes win for the 4-year-old with Ortiz in the irons.
“He’s just a special horse,” Ortiz said to Churchill Downs publicity. “He gives me so much confidence every time I get on him because he always shows up. He proved that again today.”
Asmussen and Ortiz teamed up again one race later with Magnitude in the feature race, the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1). The race was billed as the “Summer Showdown,” with a field that included 2025 Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty, four-time Grade I winning 7-year-old White Abarrio and Grade I winner Baeza.
Magnitude, the 5-2 second choice, broke through the starting gate before the start but was reloaded without incident. The 4-year-old then broke on top from post position five and made every pole a winning one for a 1-1/4 length win in 1:48.03 for a mile and one-eighth. It was the fourth win of the day for Ortiz.
“He’s an incredible horse,” Ortiz said. “I figured we’d make the lead if he broke well because he has such a high cruising speed. Sometimes he switches leads, but he just keeps fighting.”
Ortiz was aboard Magnitude earlier in the year defeating global superstar Forever Young (JPN) in the Dubai World Cup (G1).
On Sunday, Ortiz piloted Pierette to a win in the Debutante Stakes for trainer Mark Casse. The 5-2 favorite in the field of eight, Pierette raced inside just off the pace until the top of the stretch when Ortiz guided the 2-year-old outside closing powerfully to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:10.71 for six furlongs.
Ortiz now heads to Saratoga and opening day on Friday, July 3.
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Javier Castellano with a stakes win, Yedsit Hazlewood with a stakes win and leading rider title at Laurel, Corey Lanerie who retired from riding as Churchill Downs second all-time leading rider, Irad Ortiz, Jr. with two graded stakes wins and the leading rider title at Churchill Downs and Luis Saez with two graded stakes wins.
Statistics provided by Equibase
Photo Credit: Coady Media
