Horse racing has a huge place in British sporting culture, and the history books are full of legendary Welsh, Scottish, and English jockeys.
We’ve decided to list some of the most famous British jockeys of the past and present to help you learn more about the country’s rich racing history. From Grand National winners to some of Cheltenham’s most successful riders, these racers rank as some of the best that Britain has to offer.
Which British jockeys are currently leading the way?
To kick things off, here are some of the current British competitors who are taking horse racing to new heights:
Harry Skelton
One of the most famous English jockeys currently competing is Harry Skelton – the son of Olympic gold medallist Nick Skelton. He has found great success at the Cheltenham Festival in particular, riding 10 winners there since 2019. Notably, Skelton was the 2020 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, the 2024 Ryanair Chase winner, and was named British Champion Jump Jockey in between, in 2021.
Brian Hughes
We’re perhaps playing a little loosely with the definition, given Brian Hughes is in fact Northern Irish – so falls under the banner of being a UK jockey rather than British per se – but given he’s ridden more than 1,000 winners over the course of his career, he’s more than deserving of a shout.
Incredibly, Hughes has been awarded the British Champion Jump Jockey title on three occasions (2020, 2022, and 2023). and has also won four races at Cheltenham, including two wins in the Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase.
Sean Bowen
The reigning British Champion jump jockey is Sean Bowen, who is estimated to have won more than £4 million in prize money across more than 650 career races. The Welshman specialises in hurdle jump racing, with some of his most prominent titles including two wins in the Liverpool Hurdle (2019 and 2024) and the Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle (2021).
Harry Cobden
Although only in his mid-20s, Harry Cobden has already placed first at many of the UK’s biggest horse racing festivals. He has ridden six Cheltenham winners, with his victories including the 2023 and 2025 Golden Miller Novices’ Chases; and has also won two Aintree Bowls and three Ascot Chases. So you’ll not likely be surprised to hear he’s won a British jump racing Champion Jockey title, in 2024.
Sam Twiston-Davies
Finishing our list of the current most famous British jockeys is Sam Twiston-Davies, who has won several Grade 1 races throughout his career. His first Cheltenham victory came over 15 years ago in the 2010 Foxhunter Chase, and his overall race wins at the festival currently stand at seven. Outside of Cheltenham, Twiston-Davies has also won the 2014 Aintree Hurdle, the 2020 Ascot Chase, and the 2019 King George VI Chase.
British jockeys of years gone by
Now that we’ve listed some of the most famous active British jockeys, it’s time to look back in time at some of the riders who paved the way for them. Here are some of the biggest British horse racing legends to have ever competed:
AP McCoy
Like Brian Hughes, AP is too big of a name in British racing not to include on any icons list – even if he is strictly UK rather than GB. Born in Northern Ireland, Tony ‘AP’ McCoy has become a beloved figure in both British and Irish horse racing, having dominated the sport across his career, and being named British Champion a record 20 times in a row.
He rode 31 Cheltenham winners, including two Gold Cup winners, won two Ascot Chases (2002 and 2003), and was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2010 following his Grand National victory.
Peter Scudamore
Peter ‘Scu’ Scudamore is arguably the most successful British jockey of the 1980s and early 1990s. He earned the title of Champion Jockey seven times throughout his 15-year career, and racked up 13 wins at Cheltenham – including two Champion Hurdle titles (1988 and 1993). Scudamore also won the Welsh Grand National on four occasions and the Scottish Grand National twice.
John Francome
With 1,138 career wins, John Francome broke several records during his career – but earned his first of seven British Champion Jump Jockey titles in 1976. Not only was he an incredible rider, though, but he was a great sportsman too: when Peter Scudamore was injured in the 1982 National Hunt season, Francome stopped racing once they drew level on wins, allowing them to share the title. His five Cheltenham wins include the 1978 Gold Cup and 1981 Champion Hurdle.
Fred Winter
Fred Winter’s career spanned from 1950 to 1980, with many of his wins going down in history. He won four Grand Nationals, three King George VI Chases, three Champion Hurdles, and two Gold Cups, making him one of the best, most famous British jockeys of all time. In 1962, Winter won the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, which was voted the greatest ride ever by Racing Post readers in 2006.
Nowadays, though, you might recognise his name as the title of a Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival!
Richard Johnson
Known for his career rivalry with AP McCoy, Richard Johnson ranks as the second most prolific winner in National Hunt Racing history, having claimed more than 3,500 victories from 1994 to 2021. He is a two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner (2000 and 2018), a four-time British Jump Racing Champion Jockey (2016 to 2019), and the 2014 Ascot Chase winner.
Looking to learn more about the history of British racing? Our blog has a variety of guides to catch you up to speed on the sport, from our recap of recent Cheltenham winners to our history of female jockeys at Cheltenham. And once you’re ready to join in with the action, head to our horse racing betting page for the latest odds on all the biggest events!
