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SARGA.CO — When people hear the word “jockey,” most picture a small figure perched on a speeding racehorse — muscles tensed, balancing between adrenaline and precision.
But behind that light frame lies some heavy numbers — incomes so large they could make even top athletes do a double-take.
According to the Jockey Rich List from OLBG, the world of horse racing is home not only to speed demons but to super-rich athletes. And believe it or not, most of them come from a country that invests heavily in Indonesia — Japan.
If football has Lionel Messi and Formula 1 has Lewis Hamilton, Japanese horse racing has Yutaka Take. The son of legendary jockey Kunihiko Take, he’s nothing short of a national celebrity.
His career is no joke — over 4,500 victories and nearly US$1 billion in total prize money.
Take isn’t just a jockey — he’s a pop culture icon. Every time he competes, the stands overflow, cameras flash wildly, and the Japanese public treats it like a concert — except this concert ends with pounding hooves and cheers of victory.
Unlike the flamboyant Take, Norihiro Yokoyama is calm and reserved. But don’t underestimate him — he’s earned around US$615 million from more than 2,900 wins.
He’s not the media-loving type; rather, he’s an artist of the track, letting his performances speak for themselves. If Yutaka Take is a rockstar, Yokoyama is a classical pianist — serene in demeanor, yet every movement counts.
The name Yuichi Fukunaga is well-known in Japan. Before retiring, he amassed 2,600 victories and over US$561 million in earnings.
Fukunaga is famous for his psychological approach to horse racing. He believes each horse has its own personality and requires a unique connection — knowing not just when to push, but how to communicate through instinct.
Now retired from racing, Fukunaga has transitioned into a successful trainer, mentoring the next generation of Japanese equestrian stars.
Masayoshi Ebina may not be as widely known as Take, but his career is just as remarkable. With around 2,500 victories and US$505 million in earnings, he successfully broke into the European racing scene.
He has competed in France, carrying Japanese racing pride onto the world stage. Calm, focused, and efficient — those three words define Ebina. For many fans, he’s proof that Japanese jockeys can thrive anywhere in the world.
The only non-Japanese jockey in the global top five is John R. Velazquez. Born in Puerto Rico and based in the U.S., Velazquez has achieved more than 6,600 victories and nearly US$493 million in prize money.
Velázquez is the embodiment of consistency. He’s won the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and many other prestigious races. While Japanese jockeys are known for precision and technique, Velazquez is renowned for instinct — knowing exactly when to hold back, when to strike, and how to make history.
Here’s a striking fact: of the 50 richest jockeys ranked by OLBG, 28 are Japanese. That’s no coincidence — it reflects just how large and serious the racing industry is in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Prize purses are massive, sponsorships flow generously, and jockeys are treated not as mere “small riders on big horses,” but as true sports superstars.
Behind every thundering gallop lies a world of relentless discipline and a touch of madness — extreme weight control, daily reflex training, and laser-sharp focus under constant pressure.
Still, with earnings reaching hundreds of millions of dollars, who wouldn’t want to be a jockey?
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