Kentucky Derby jockeys are among the key ingredients to winning at Churchill Downs. One legendary horse racing jockey could be looking at riding off into the sunset after the Kentucky Derby.
So Happy’s jockey Mike E. Smith, who is 59 years old, is pushing to become the oldest jockey to ever win the Kentucky Derby on the saddle of contender So Happy. Back in 1986, Jockey Bill Shoemaker set the record at 54 years old, an achievement that Smith is looking to top.
To make the Kentucky Derby even more interesting, Smith has hinted that this could be his final event at Churchill Downs prompting retirement speculation.
“It can happen,” Smith explained to FanDuel Racing during an April 22, interview. “At this stage of my career, I mean, the Kentucky Derby always means a lot. It’s what we all want to be a part of and be in.
“But man, I mean, this could be it for me. I don’t want to say for sure because I feel too darn good. But, I mean, this could be my last Derby.”
How Much Money Do Jockeys Like Mike E. Smith Make at the Kentucky Derby?
With or without a 2026 Kentucky Derby victory, Smith has already had a historic career. Smith has earned more than $357,000 over his horse racing career while topping 35,000 starts, per Equibase.
So how much do jockeys earn at the Kentucky Derby? Each jockey has a specific agreement with their owner creating a range of earnings.
Yet, 10% of what the horse earns from the purse is the industry standard for the winner, per CBS Sports’ Robby Kalland. Second place and third place traditionally take home 5% of the team’s winnings.
This year’s Kentucky Derby purse is $5 million with the winner earning $3.1 million.
Jockey Junior Alvarado earned $310,000 for riding Sovereignty to the win in 2025. All jockeys are guaranteed a riding fee of at least $500 to compete at the Kentucky Derby.
So Happy’s Jockey, Mike Smith, Responds to Retirement Rumors
Smith also left the door open to keeping his career going. The jockey emphasized that making the Kentucky Derby is challenging.
“You know, that doesn’t mean I’m going to retire,” Smith remarked in an April 24, interview with Twin Spires. “It just means, it’s just hard.
“It just means it’s hard to get back here. So just because I ride another year or two, doesn’t mean you make it. So I’m going to really, really enjoy this moment and God’s will, man, maybe we’ll pull it off.”
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