How Big Are Belmont Stakes Jockeys? (Height & Weight of 2023 Participants)

While the majority of sports favor bigger, stronger athletes, horse racing is the opposite. Riders tend to be smaller and lighter than average people, let alone professional athletes. That's because the horses must race with them on their backs, so jockeys with slender frames are easier to carry and can thus help a horse run faster.

In fact, there's actually a maximum weight for jockeys at the Belmont Stakes, as they must weigh a maximum of 126 pounds with their gear included.

Here's a full list of the Belmont Stakes 2023 jockeys, including their height and weight. (Note: not all jockeys have officially listed heights and weights, but those will be updated as they become available).

How Big Are the 2023 Belmont Stakes Jockeys? (Height and Weight)

2023 Belmont Stakes Jockey FAQ

Who is the tallest jockey in the 2023 Belmont Stakes?

The tallest jockey among those with official information listed for the 2023 Belmont Stakes is Jose Ortiz, who is 5 feet 7 inches and will be riding Tapit Trice.

Who is the shortest jockey in the 2023 Belmont Stakes?

The shortest jockey in the 2023 Belmont Stakes (among those with officially listed heights) is a tie between Javier Castellano and Manny Franco, both of whom are 5-foot-1. They will be riding Arcangelo and Hit Show, respectively.

Who is the heaviest jockey in the 2023 Belmont Stakes?

The heaviest jockey in the 2023 Belmont Stakes is Javier Castellano, who is listed at 114 pounds and rides Arcangelo. That's only two pounds heavier than any other jockey with a listed weight, however.

Who is the lightest jockey in the 2023 Belmont Stakes?

The jockey with the lowest officially listed weight for the 2023 Belmont Stakes is Joel Rosario, who weighs 109 pounds. He will be riding Red Route One.

How much do jockeys weigh?

Different races have different weight requirements for participating jockeys. At the 2023 Belmont Stakes, male horses will carry 126 pounds and fillies will carry 121 pounds. That means the total weight of the jockeys and their gear (which typically weighs about 7 pounds) must not exeed those limits. The average weight among 2023 Belmont Stakes jockeys (based on official weights) is roughly 112 pounds.

How tall are jockeys?

There are no height limits or restrictions for jockeys, but because of the very low weight limits most jockeys are on the shorter side, usually measuring between 4'10" and 5'7". The average jockey height in the 2023 Belmont Stakes is about 5-foot-3.

How much does a jockey make?

As with all sports, there is a big range between the highest and lowest earners when it comes to jockeys. Jockeys are independent contractors who ride many different horses and take part in lots of races, so the more they race the more they make.

Jockeys earn a base "mounting fee" for each race they partake in as well as a percentage of the prize money if they finish in the top 3. Accordingly, jockeys who do a high volume of races and win a lot are very well compensated.

Below is a list of the top 10 jockeys in 2023 earnings through June 7.

How much does the jockey win in the 2023 Belmont Stakes?

The winning jockey receives 10% of the winning payout for the 2023 Belmont Stakes, which will be $80,000 (10% of $800,000 for the winning team) this year.

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