Kentucky Derby 2025 jockey Umberto Rispoli: Meet the rider of the horse Journalism
The jockey on 2025 Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism, Umberto Rispoli is a man of the world.
A 36-year-old native of San Severino Marche, Italy, Rispoli has, at various times in his career, ridden regularly in his native country, France, Japan, Hong Kong and, since December, 2019, in the United States.
In spite of his international pedigree, Rispoli will have some “home team” street cred when he goes for the biggest win of the North American stage of his riding career Saturday. In the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Rispoli will be aboard the favored Journalism.
Rispoli’s jockey agent is former Shelby County High School and University of Louisville place-kicker Matthew Nakatani.
If that last name seems familiar, Nakatani is the son of Hall of Fame jockey Corey Nakatani, who won 3,909 races in his 30-year career (1988 through 2018) as a rider. That victory tally included two wins in the Kentucky Oaks (1991 on Lite Light and 1996 aboard Pike Place Dancer) and 10 Breeders’ Cup victories.
Matthew Nakatani’s name is still in the records books in Kentucky, too. The nine straight field goals he made for Shelby County in 2007 still stands as the sixth-best such streak in Kentucky high school football history.
In his professional role as a jockey’s agent, Nakatani has his client on the Derby favorite. Rispoli has ridden Journalism for trainer Michael McCarthy in four of the horse’s five career races, including his wins this year in the San Felipe Stakes and the Santa Anita Derby.
Rispoli told the Thoroughbred Daily News that Journalism is “the best dirt horse I’ve ever ridden. No doubt about it. I know I’ve only been riding on the dirt in the U.S. for a short time. But I’ve had some experience in Japan, in Hong Kong, in Italy, where we have dirt racing, but it’s obviously not as good as American races.”
A jockey who has ridden all around the globe, Rispoli told the BloodHorse that winning the Kentucky Derby “would be the best moment of my life.”
Here are the things you need to know about Rispoli:
▪ Kentucky Derby history: Has ridden twice before, finishing 14th on Brooklyn Strong in 2021 and ninth on Endlessly in 2024.
▪ Breeders’ Cup results: Has three seconds and two thirds — four of which came last year.
▪ Career statistics: Through May 1, had ridden 197 races this year with 44 wins, for a career-high 22 percent winning percentage. Had earnings of $3,052,473.
For his North American career (which became full time in 2020), has raced 3,334 times with 611 wins, a winning percentage of 18. Earnings of $46,434,507.
▪ Career honors: Won riding championships in his native Italy in 2009 and 2010.
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 2:42 PM.
