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

While most sports favor bigger, stronger athletes, horse racing is different in that smaller, lighter jockeys tend to flourish. That's because the horses must race with them on their backs, so jockeys with slighter frames are easier to carry and can help a horse run faster.

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

Here's a full list of the Preakness 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 Preakness Stakes Jockeys? (Height and Weight)

2023 Preakness Stakes Jockey FAQ

Who is the tallest jockey in the 2023 Preakness Stakes

The tallest jockey among those with official information listed for the 2023 Preakness Stakes is a tie between John Velazquez and Sheldon Russell, both of whom are 5-foot-6. They will be riding National Treasure and Chase the Chaos, respectively.

Who is the shortest jockey in the 2023 Preakness Stakes?

The shortest jockey in the 2023 Preakness Stakes (among those with officially listed heights) is Javier Castellano, who stands 5 feet 1 inches and weighs 114 pounds. He will be riding Mage.

Who is the heaviest jockey in the 2023 Preakness Stakes?

The heaviest jockey in the 2023 Preakness Stakes is Javier Castellano, who weighs 114 pounds and stands 5 feet 1 inches. He will be riding Kentucky Derby winner Mage. Note that the official height and weight are not available for all jockeys yet.

Who is the lightest jockey in the 2023 Preakness Stakes?

The lightest jockey with an officially listed weight for the 2023 Preakness Stakes is Joel Rosario, who weighs 109 pounds and stands 5 feet 2 inches. He will be riding Red Route One.

How much do jockeys weigh?

Different races have different weight requirements for participating jockeys. At the 2023 Preakness Stakes, male horses will carry 126 pounds and fillies will carry 121 pounds. This means the total weight of the jockeys and their gear (which typically weighs about 7 pounds) must be under those limits. The average weight among 2023 Preakness Stakes jockeys is around 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, typically measuring between 4-foot-10 and 5-foot-6. The average height of the jockeys in the 2023 Preakness Stakes is 5-foot-3.

How much does a jockey make?

As with all sports, there is a big range between the highest and lowest earners. Jockeys are independent contractors who ride many different horses and take part in tons of races, so they 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 May 17.

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

The winning jockey receives 10% of the winning payout for the 2023 Preakness Stakes, which will be $90,000 (10% of $900,000 for the winning team) this year.

Check out more Preakness Stakes coverage from The Duel: