Cheltenham Festival returns next week as racing fans prepare for 28 races over a dramatic four days.

, not least Galopin Des Champs' attempt at a third consecutive Gold Cup win and a mouth-watering battle between Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead in The Champion Hurdle on Tuesday.

The festival is one of the many racing events that attract millions of viewers, and the jockeys that race there have become huge names.

Ruby Walsh remains the record holder for most Cheltenham wins. Meanwhile, AP McCoy had a record 4,358 winners during a glittering career.

But the world's richest jockey is far wealthier than these two racing legends combined.

Japanese jockey Yutaka Take takes the crown as the world's richest jockey - worth a reported £750 million at the age of 55.

For context, AP McCoy is reportedly worth £23 million, and while Ruby Walsh's net worth is unknown, he has raked in £20 million worth of prize money in his career.

It is reported that Take has a 'god-like' status in his home country thanks to his 2,710 wins (and counting).

Take comes from a family of racing prestige, too. His father was also a jockey and earned himself the nickname "the wizard of his turf."

His brother Koshiro was also a jockey and is now a trainer.

Take's racing career started in 1987. He quickly made an impression after riding 69 winners as a rookie.

Racing expert Jane George explained back in 2006 why Take is so successful.

She said: "He is almost a god over there [Japan].

"A lot of the jockeys in Japan have fan clubs, but he is the only one whose face will be held up on posters all around the paddock.

"The average age of racegoers in Japan is quite young, and there are plenty of good jockeys, but he is still the pin-up.

"It's like pop-star status, and since he married Sano Ryoko, they are like a Golden Couple.

"He is the only jockey that frequently appears on TV shows, and he always looks good, like a pop star, and he is very relaxed, very polite, always trying to be precise when he answers a question and trying to entertain people."

Racing fans may also be interested to know that Romantic Warrior is the horse with more winnings than any other - a huge £18 million.

He is currently owned by Lau Pak Fai, trained by Danny Shum Chap Shing and under the jockey James McDonald, who is a member of the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.