Johnny Velasquez

Certainly the leading earner (lifetime) in the USA,which I presume makes him the the world leader Not sure about that Japanese guy tbh. Younger than Dettori. He is selecting his rides these days but still a pick for some trainers' top horses. Fierceness most obiously.

Johnny V 5th on the world list for earnings, I think. Top 4 Japanese.

Thanks ged. I did wonder about the Japanese but I've never stumbled across a site that has world leaders. Any links please ?

Here's one, from April this year...

https://www.olbg.com/blogs/jockey-rich-list

I'm no jockey judge tbh as they all ride uppers and downers but he's the best ever for me   

Thanks for that. If you're going to be a jockey be born in Japan !
Some of the Hispanic jockeys,Velasquez,Rosario,Castellano and the Ortiz brothers for example may have been born elsewhere but have made their careers in the US.