Protecting Riders.
ADVANCING SAFETY.
ELEVATING THE SPORT.
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
PACO LOPEZ
FIRST WIN IN A TRIPLE CROWN RACE
PACO LOPEZ EARNS JOCKEY OF THE WEEK- MAY 11-MAY 17
LEXINGTON, KY (May 20, 2026) Jockey Paco Lopez does not often make the journey to Laurel Park to ride but a mount in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday was one of those exceptions and it proved to be a career highlight. With his first career classic race win, Lopez was voted Jockey of the Week for May 11-17 by the panel of racing experts.
On Saturday, trainer Chad Summers gave a leg up to Lopez aboard Napoleon Solo in the Preakness Stakes (G1). Lopez had previously ridden the gray colt to a fifth place finish in the Wood Memorial (G2) in April at Aqueduct. Lopez was so confident Napoleon Solo could handle the added distance of the Preakness, he convinced the trainer and ownership to enter the colt in the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Napoleon Solo had also won the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct as a 2-year-old.
Off as the fourth betting choice and breaking from post position 10 in the field of 14, Napoleon Solo settled a length behind the leader and race favorite, Taj Mahal through three-quarters. On the far turn, Napoleon Solo began to gain on Taj Mahal and took the lead as the field turned for home. Iron Honor with Flavien Prat tried to make a race of it down the stretch but fell short as Napoleon Solo hit the wire in front by a length and a quarter in 1:58:69 for the mile and three-sixteenths.
“We had the perfect run,” said Lopez to Laurel publicity. “Chad had him ready. In the post parade, he started playing with the pony so we broke away but came back and he was very comfortable. He broke perfect and followed them around, there was a lot of speed in the race, and he was patient until it was time to move. My first (Triple Crown) win. It is so exciting.”
Not one to miss a mount, Lopez came right back in the next and final race of the day to win the nightcap for trainer Kelly Breen.
Lopez has his sights set on winning the Haskell (G1) with Napoleon Solo on July 18, the next scheduled start for the Preakness winner. The Haskell is one of the few stakes races at Monmouth that Lopez has yet to win. He has dominated the standings at Monmouth and his seeking his thirteenth riding title and eighth straight at the Jersey Shore.
A native of Vera Cruz, Mexico, Lopez, 40, has been riding in the United Stakes since 2007 and won the Eclipse Award as Outstanding Apprentice in 2008. He won his 4,000th career race on October 6, 2024 at Keeneland.
This time of year, Lopez will ride every day, if possible, at tracks within close proximity of his base of Monmouth Park. This week he so far has mounts at Parx then Delaware Park.
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Tyler Gaffalione with two graded stakes wins including the Black Eyed Susan (G2) and the Maryland Sprint (G3), Yedsit Hazlewood who won a stakes race at Laurel, Brian Hernandez, Jr. with a graded stakes win at Churchill Downs and Irad Ortiz, Jr. with two stakes wins at Laurel and five consecutive wins at Churchill Downs on Sunday.
Statistics provided by: Equibase
Photo: Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
