In order to become a great jockey, one has to have good management, horse sense, courage and even a little dose of insanity. And while measuring the success of a jockey, what is more important: Earnings? Wins in big races? We think it's both. Here's a list of top 10 jockeys that were almost always a safe bet:
10. Russell Baze
Wins: 7,141
Earnings: Over $199,000,000
9. Javier Castellano
Wins: 4,356
Earnings: $251,546,668
8. Chris McCarron
Wins: 12,831
Earnings: Over $264,000,000
7. Jerry Bailey
Wins: 5,893
Earnings: $296,188,735
6. Kent Desormeaux
Wins: 5,475
Earnings: $265,531,336
5. Pat Day
Wins: 8,803
Earnings: $297,934,732
4. Eddie Arcaro
Wins: 4,779
Earnings: $30,039,543
3. Lester Piggott
Wins: 4,493
Earnings: N/A
2. Laffit Pincay Jr.
Wins: 9,530
Earnings: $237,120,625
1. Bill Shoemaker
Wins: 8,883
Earnings: $123,375,524
