No great horse that has ever claimed victory has done it without the assistance of a world-class jockey. Over the last few years we’ve been lucky enough to be treated to some of the best horse riders in decades, proven by history-making performances that we’ve witnessed at the Grand National and other big races across the globe, including the upcoming Kentucky Derby.

Every jockey has had to contend with a plethora of rule changes recently too, making their jobs even harder, which makes their performances all the more impressive.

Here’s our guide to some of the best jockeys on the planet at the moment:

Ryan Moore

The Brit has has been a revelation over recent times after being picked as the leading jockey for iconic trainer Aidan O’Brien’s.

Whenever he turns up to race, Moore instantly commands respect and he rarely puts a foot wrong, guiding many a horse, both favorites and outsiders, to impressive finishes over different tracks and surfaces.

Moore was destined for jockey stardom after being born into a racing-mad clan; his father is a trainer and his other family members are all good riders in their own right too.

To emphasise his superiority, Moore has won the majority of the biggest races but its his constancy across the globe that makes him a real superstar and when he next turns out on the track it would definitely be a wise decision to read over horse racing predictions at betandskill.com because you know there’s a good chance that whatever horse he is riding will win.

Christophe Soumillon

Travel to most big race meets on the planet and you’ll find the Belgian Soumillon; the bad news for his rivals is that he rarely leaves empty handed such is his skills and stunning riding abilities.

Soumillon has been at the top of French racing for most of the last decade and earned many plaudits across Europe and the planet because he’s also secured some of the biggest prizes elsewhere.

On one occasion he even claimed victory 5 times on Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day, including three group 1 race triumphs. Many pundits argue that he is the best in the generation, given the way he handles all breeds, but he will certainly have some stiff competition for this.

The Belgian is another one to have teamed with legendary trainer Andre Fabre and together they have achieved great things; like Moore he was born into horse racing as the kin of jumps rider Jean-Marc Soumillon.

Javier Castellano

The South-American Castellano has been a true revelation in recent years, particularly in the US, and he has finished at the top of the charts for prizemoney earned in 2013, 2014 and 2015, as well as winning four Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey. There’s a common patent emerging here because like so many of the very best jockeys, Castellano took to the saddle under the guidance of his late father and his uncle and brother are all jockeys too.

Castellano moved from Venezuela to the sunshine state in the 90s and his career has gone from strength-to-strength ever since. He’s calm under pressure and was even admitted to the the US Hall of Fame in 2017.