Greatest Flat jockeys of all time: Our top 10 riders

The Irishman was on board 4,632 winners during his illustrious career, topping the table 11 times between 1974 and 1976 and enjoying 14 Classic victories. Eddery had great success in the colours of Robert Sangster on Vincent O’Brien-trained stars such as Golden Fleece, Assert and El Gran Senor. He then rode Dancing Brave to victory in the King George and the Arc, which began a great partnership with owner Khalid Abdullah, scoring on the likes of Zafonic, Quest for Fame and Warning.

Dancing Brave and Pat Eddery parade before the 1986 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe pic.twitter.com/8qgKSf8CRB

— Racing Tales (@Racing_Tales) February 8, 2019

4. Ryan Moore

Born into a racing family, with his father Gary and grandfather Charlie both trainers, Moore was champion jockey in 2006, 2008 and 2009 during his time with Sir Michael Stoute, but switching his attention to quality over quantity proved a wise move. Joining forces with Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O’Brien has brought consistent Classic success in Britain and Ireland, while there have been countless other Group One triumphs around the world for this globe-trotting stylist.

5. Steve Cauthen

Arrived in Britain with a big reputation after securing over $6million in prize money across the Atlantic in 1977 before riding Affirmed to Triple Crown glory the following year – and he certainly lived up to the hype. Cauthen collected 10 UK Classics and three title triumphs, landing the fillies’ Triple Crown on Oh So Sharp in 1985. Widely regarded as a supreme judge of pace with a Swiss clock in his head, the American was outstanding on front-runners, such as Derby hero Slip Anchor.

6. Willie Carson

The bubbly Scot was crowned champion five times between 1972 and 1983, with his incredible consistency being reflected by the fact that he reached a century during 23 seasons, eventually posting a total of 3,828 wins. Big-race victories in the colours of Shekh Hamdan Al Maktoum for trainers Dick Hern and John Dunlop included 17 Classic strikes, with Nashwan one of four Derby scores. Subsequently a popular Question of Sport captain, Carson was at his best when still punching out winners as other jockeys began to tire.

🗣 "Look at that long stride."

Willie Carson on the mighty Nashwan – a "class horse."

🏆 1989 – 2000 Guineas
🏆 1989 – Derby
🏆 1989 – Eclipse Stakes
🏆 1989 – King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes pic.twitter.com/qQr52EqRuq

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 30, 2021

7. Frankie Dettori

Another Question of Sport captain, Dettori’s popularity has transcended the sport of horse racing and made him a household name. Riding all seven winners at Ascot in 1996 helped elevate the Italian to superstar status, while his flying dismounts and exuberant personality are other contributing factors. However, underneath the joyful persona lies a steely determination to do the business on the track, which has brought Frankie more than 500 Group-class victories and his victory on King Of Steel in the Champion Stakes was a fitting finale to his racing career in Britain.

8. Fred Archer

The Tin Man claimed 13 consecutive title triumphs between 1874 and 1886, setting then records of 246 winners in a season and 2,748 overall victories, from just 8,084 mounts. Archer’s 21 Classic strikes included helping Ormonde to land the last two legs of an 1877 Triple Crown and he was noted for fast starts in the days before stalls were invented. Tragically, he committed suicide at the age of 29, reportedly due to the effects of wasting away to make weight and the loss of his wife during childbirth.

Fred Archer born on this day in 1857. Champion jockey 13 times and dead aged 29. Here on triple crown winner Ormonde. pic.twitter.com/cVcqZwE4c1

— Nick Pemberton (@ncpemberton) January 11, 2015

9. Steve Donoghue

The Warrington-born rider had no family connections with racing but went on to top the table 10 times between 1914 and 1923. Donoghue’s 14 Classic wins included Triple Crown triumphs on board Pommern and Gay Crusader, while his six Derby victories featured a hat-trick on Humorist, Captain Cuttle and Papyrus from 1921 to 1923.

10. Kieren Fallon

Fallon had to endure some controversial periods during his colourful career but there can be no doubting his ability in the saddle and he rounds off our top-10 greatest Flat jockeys of all time. He was crowned champion jockey on six occasions and partnered 16 Classic winners. Henry Cecil, Stoute and O’Brien all enjoyed successful spells with the Irishman as stable jockey. He was especially cool on hold-up horses, knowing exactly when to press the button and inspire a strong finish.

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