Johnny Velazquez, Chairman, Jockeys’ Guild

Breeders' Cup

Hall of fame jockey Johnny Velazquez is the all-time leading money-winner in horse racing, with 5,896 victories and total purses of $383,261,359 as of April 16. He’s won 15 Triple Crown races, including the Kentucky Derby twice, with Animal Kingdom in 2011 and Always Dreaming last year. In this year’s Derby, Velazquez is scheduled to ride Vino Rosso for trainer Todd Pletcher and owners Mike Repole and St. Elias Stables, which is owned by Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola. He has served as chairman of the Jockeys’ Guild, the industry trade organization, since 2007. Under Velazquez’s leadership, the Guild was instrumental in establishing the Jockey Injury Database, a nationwide program designed to prevent rider injuries.