The 2025 Kentucky Derby is just hours away, and ask Umberto Rispoli, he will say Journalism has a pretty good chance to clinch the 151st edition of the famous race. “He is the best dirt horse I’ve ever ridden. No doubt about it.” Well, as the 3-year-old colts line up at the starting gates of the Churchill Downs in a bid to become a part of Kentucky Derby’s storied legacy, jockey Umberto Rispoli will know he will play a crucial role as a connection of Journalism for a successful 2025 Derby.

The 36-year-old jockey is an emerging name in the jockey circle of North American racing right now. So, it’s no coincidence that he has been entrusted to guide a favorite like Journalism. Almost like getting rewarded for his consistent success as a jockey. “I just feel happy because I have found a great horse in my life.” And Rispoli hasn’t just found happiness on the track. Both on the track and away from it, the Italian has led a happy and prosperous journey, and there is no doubt that he has balanced both his worlds expertly. So, let’s get to know the man who may just win the 2025 ‘Run to the Roses.’

Who is Umberto Rispoli, the jockey?

The Italian has been proving his mettle all around the globe. After starting in his native country, he raced in France, Japan, and Hong Kong. And in 2019, he decided to try his abilities in North America. And it’s safe to say he has settled in the United States quite well and is looking to take the next big step in his career – to win a Kentucky Derby.

This won’t be his first ride in the Derby, though. He has already ridden in the 2021 and the 2024 Kentucky Derby. In 2021, he finished 14th on Brooklyn Strong, and in 2024, he came 9th aboard Endlessly. 3rd time’s the charm? We will see. Rispoli definitely has the credentials. He has two 2nd-place finishes and two 3rd-place finishes in the Breeders’ Cup. Obviously, he has won the Santa Anita Derby and the San Felipe Stakes in 2025 with Journalism.

Rispoli’s G1 double at the Gamely Stakes and the Shoemaker Mile in 2024 started a run that currently has him scoring a 22% win percentage in 2025. In this year only, Rispoli has won 44 races, having participated in almost 200. And his earnings stand at more than $3 million for this year. As for his career, Umberto Rispoli has amassed more than $46 million (Equibase), having won more than 600 races in 3,300-odd outings.

His versatility in being able to command different types of thoroughbreds is what makes him special. Not just Journalism, the Italian has handled other steeds quite well too, like Formidable Man and Private Gem, whom he led to wins at the Frank E. Kilroe Mile race and The Great Race Place, respectively. Other than that, he also had repeated success with filly Anisette and colt Johannes. But winning the Kentucky Derby “would be the best moment of my life,” admitted the budding jockey to BloodHorse on May 2, 2025.

And he would have his beautiful family right beside him to share the glorious accomplishment. In his long journey in the horse racing career, his wife has been a consistent support who deserves mention for the silent role she plays to help Rispoli conquer his dreams.

Who is Umberto Rispoli’s wife?

The jockey’s beloved is Kimberley Rispoli Mosse, and they have been married for more than 5 years now. But the bond they have started more than a decade ago, in Hong Kong, as shared by Kimberley to Equidia.fr in July 2024. She met Umberto Rispoli through her father, Garald Mosse, who himself needs no introduction as a jockey. In fact, Rispoli learned a lot from Kimberley’s father, who has won numerous races in France, including the French Derby, the French Oaks, and the French 2000 Guineas, and also the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1990.

How her relationship started is such a funny story, as she shared with Equidia.fr in July 2024. “I met Umberto in Hong Kong. He was our neighbor. We went to do lots of activities with him and my father and didn’t see any harm in it. Then one day he grabbed Umberto to tell him not to try anything with me, and Umberto told him it was too late, that we were already together.”

Funnily enough, Umberto Rispoli didn’t know it was a connection he would be building for life. What started as “a holiday romance” has become a lifelong journey of love. And he plans to walk away into the sunset with her for eternity. His Instagram post on Valentine’s Day read, “13 years ago, one of our first pictures together; since then, you have been my one and only Valentine’s ❤️. Towards the ♾️️️️… #valentines #wife #love #infinity #together #kimberly”.

Kimberley Mosse was born in France and had done modelling for W Gallery. Currently, she stays in California, and they have built a beautiful family in the Golden State.

Do Umberto and Kimberley have any kids?

‘Until infinity’ is the time Umberto wants with Kimberley. From girlfriend to fiancée to wife and now a mother of two. They have their ups and downs, and together, their ‘story keeps rolling.’ Their older son is named Hayden, who, like his dad and granddad, has taken a liking to horse racing. “He already wants to be a jockey!”, Kimberley said to Equidia.fr.

Hayden is 7 right now, born on July 21, 2017, while Aramis had his third birthday on March 21, 2024. Being a full-time jockey, it is probably not easy to spend a whole lot of time with his kids. But for Umberto Rispoli, Hayden and Aramis are everything. In an Instagram post on June 19, 2022, he was seen playing with them. And the caption said everything to say: “My whole life, and I don’t need anything else.”

A family man with the love of his life, Rispoli will enter the Churchill Downs on Saturday with the hope that he scores his 1st Kentucky Derby victory.