Nestor Duran Tops Nation's Quarter Horse Jockey Standings With More Than $4 Million in Earnings

Nestor Duran has surpassed the $4 million mark in earnings to lead the nation's Quarter Horse racing jockey standings through October 20, while Francisco Calderon and Juan Pulido remain among the leading contenders as the 2026 racing season enters its final months.

Duran tops the national rankings with $4,011,589 in earnings from 222 mounts, including 59 wins, 34 seconds, and 33 thirds. His impressive 26.58% winning percentage and 56.76% in-the-money rate are among the strongest performances of the nation's top ten money-earning riders.

Francisco Calderon holds second place with $3,828,090 in earnings, just $183,499 behind Duran. Calderon has recorded 67 victories, 50 seconds, and 40 thirds from 342 mounts this season. His 19.59% winning percentage and 45.91% in-the-money rate have kept him within striking distance of the national earnings leader. Calderon won the 2023 AQHA Racing Champion Jockey title after setting a single-season earnings record of $7,210,173. His mounts included champions Danjer, Trane Station V, Dark NME, and The Grand Legend.

Juan Pulido ranks third nationally with $2,872,244 in earnings but leads the top ten jockeys in total victories with 99 wins from 339 mounts. Pulido also boasts the highest winning percentage among the top ten at 29.20%, with 55 seconds and 31 thirds contributing to a 54.57% in-the-money rate.

Noe Garcia, Jr. occupies fourth place with $2,531,128 in earnings. Garcia has collected 50 victories, 51 seconds, and 33 thirds from 306 mounts, posting a 16.34% winning percentage and 43.79% in-the-money rate.

Luis Martinez rounds out the nation's top five with $2,379,866 in earnings. Martinez has made 360 starts, recording 46 wins, 49 seconds, and 50 thirds. His winning percentage stands at 12.78%, with a 40.28% in-the-money rate. Martinez won the 2025 AQHA Racing Champion Jockey title.

Roman Cruz holds sixth place with $2,316,610 in earnings and has been one of the nation's busiest and most successful riders. Cruz has registered 98 victories from 496 mounts, second only to Pulido in total wins among the top ten. He has also recorded 70 seconds and 59 thirds, producing a 19.76% winning percentage.

Ramiro Haro Garcia ranks seventh with $2,198,024 in earnings from 398 mounts. Garcia has posted 57 wins, 54 seconds, and 52 thirds, with a 14.32% winning percentage and 40.95% in-the-money rate.

Christian Cardenas occupies eighth place with $2,155,156 in earnings. Cardenas has recorded 55 victories from 273 mounts, along with 33 seconds and 40 thirds. His 20.15% winning percentage ranks among the highest in the top ten.

Jacob Enriquez stands ninth with $2,088,813 in earnings. Enriquez leads the top ten in total mounts with 499, recording 62 victories, 68 seconds, and 65 thirds. His 195 top-three finishes reflect a busy racing schedule throughout the season.

Edwin G. Escobedo completes the nation's top ten with $1,993,418 in earnings. Escobedo has registered 55 wins, 46 seconds, and 49 thirds from 419 mounts, posting a 13.13% winning percentage.

The nation's ten leading jockeys have combined for more than $26.3 million in earnings and 648 victories this season. The standings highlight the different paths to success, with Duran leading in purse earnings, Pulido setting the pace in victories and winning percentage, and Enriquez and Cruz ranking among the busiest riders in the country.

With major stakes events still remaining on the 2026 racing calendar, the battle for the national earnings championship remains open. Calderon is less than $200,000 behind Duran, leaving the possibility of a change atop the standings before year's end.

Statistics are based on reported Quarter Horse racing results through October 20, 2026. Rankings are determined by total purse earnings. CLICK HERE for the top 50 current leading riders through October 20, 2026.

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