Leona O’ Brien is the wife of the famous American jockey John R. Velazquez. She is also the daughter of the jockey and trainer, Leo O’ Brien. Hence, Leona understood the world of a jockey, and she appreciated John’s horse racing which helped her husband a lot.
John Velazquez is a renowned American Jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing who was awarded the outstanding jockey in 2004 and 2005.
Detailed information about John, his family, and his net worth are mentioned down below.
John Velazquez Wife And Family
John has a happy married life with his beloved wife, Leona O’Brien. We don’t know their exact date of marriage.
The couple is blessed with two children. They have named their daughter Lerina and their son Michael Patrick.
The family is currently residing in New York.
How Old Is John Velazquez?
Velazquez was born in November 1971. He is currently 49 years old. John will celebrate his 50th birthday on 24th of the November.
He was born in Puerto Rico. John is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs around 112 lbs.
John learned horse riding while he was staying in Puerto Rico.
Furthermore, he studied for one and half years at a jockey school and registered his first race win on January 3, 1990.
Later he shifted to New York State. Angel Cordero Jr trained him afterward.
Moments like this with @jjcjockey are what make @MakeAWish Day at @keeneland so special! ?
Find out how to donate here: https://t.co/aiULZWnMh7 pic.twitter.com/cyElfcbV5j
— Isabella Leslie (@bellaleslie__) October 14, 2021
John Velazquez Wikipedia
The jockey has his biography and achievements listed on Wikipedia.
John is popular among the jockey fans for his incredible riding manner and “nerves of steel.”
Valazquez won The Ticonderoga, his first stakes race at Aqueduct Racetrack in 1990. As of November 30, 2018, Velazquez has reached the milestone of 6000 wins in his career in North America.
John Velazquez @ljlmvel adds to his all-time record of Belmont Park turf stakes wins with # 1⃣1⃣4⃣ aboard Bay Storm in the Christiecat S. for trainer Jonathan Thomas.
Mr. Velazquez’s 416 turf stakes victories in the U.S. and Canada are the most all-time. pic.twitter.com/856kzdzB0o
— Racing Stats & Info (@GaryDougherty) September 18, 2021
John got enlisted into the Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2012.
In 2013, he rode to his 5000th win. In 2014, he became the leading money-earning jockey in the history of the sport.
The winner of 18 Breeder’s Cup and six Triple Crown races, including 2011, 2017, 2020, and 2021 has also been victorious in primary grades stakes races such as the Kentucky Oaks, Metropolitan Handicap, Dubai World Cup, and many more.
Velazquez has amassed many more achievements in his career being a jockey.
Details On John Velazquez Net Worth
As of 2021, John’s net worth is estimated to be over 300 million dollars. He is one of the top money-earning jockeys in sports history.
After his 147th Kentucky Derby wins, he received 10% of the first-place prize money, equivalent to 186 thousand dollars.
Velazquez is also the chairman of the board of the Jockey’s Guild and on the board of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
John Velazquez @ljlmvel is scheduled to ride opening day at the Saratoga meet that begins Thursday.
Mr. Velazquez has now won nearly a thousand races since his first win on Aug. 5, 1990.#Legend pic.twitter.com/dypba4VhMR
— Racing Stats & Info (@GaryDougherty) July 14, 2021