11 Really, Really Happy Jockeys

How would you feel if you’d just piloted a horse to a win in the Kentucky Derby or the Breeders’ Cup or the Grand National? Probably something like this.

Top photo: Jockey Richard Hughes is crowned champion Flat jockey for 2012 in a champagne-splashed ceremony at Doncaster. [sportinglife.com]

Corey Nakatani celebrates as he wins the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Grey Goose Juvenile Fillies aboard My Miss Aurelia. [breederscup.com]

Frankie Dettori celebrates after winning the 2006 Racing Post Trophy. [dailymail.co.uk]

James Graham celebrates aboard Ive Struck A Nerve after winning the 2013 Grade II Risen Star Stakes horse race in New Orleans. [timesunion.com]

Calvin Borel wins the 2009 Kentucky Derby on Mine That Bird, an impossible longshot at odds of 50-to-1. [sfgate.com]

Umberto Rispoli wins the 2012 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup aboard Rulership. [entertainment.hkjc.com]

Mike Smith pilots supermare Zenyatta to a win in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2009. [nydailynews.com]

Mario Gutierrez winning the 2012 Kentucky Derby on I’ll Have Another–and it was his first Kentucky Derby ever! [wppost.com]

Jose Santos leans down to kiss Funny Cide after riding the horse to victory in the 2003 Kentucky Derby. [sfgate.com]

Paddy Brennan kisses the Cheltenham Gold Cup after winning the race on Imperial Commander. [telegraph.co.uk]

Daryl Jacob won the 2012 Grand National success on Neptune Collonges. [racingtips.com]

Richard Hughes celebrates winning seven races in a single day at Windsor in 2012. [telegraph.co.uk]

Go Racing.