Difference between revisions of "Bill Shoemaker" - New World Encyclopedia
m |
|||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
|updated = March 6, 2007 | |updated = March 6, 2007 | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | '''William Lee Shoemaker''' (August 19, 1931 – October 12, 2003) was one of the greatest [[United States|American]] [[jockey]]s. The former all-time leader in career victories (8,833—surpassed in 1999 by [[Laffit Pincay]], Jr.), he had 11 victories in [[Triple Crown]] races. He also was the first jockey to win over $100 million. | + | '''William Lee Shoemaker''' (August 19, 1931 – October 12, 2003) was one of the greatest [[United States|American]] [[jockey]]s. The former all-time leader in career victories (8,833—surpassed in 1999 by [[Laffit Pincay]], Jr.), he had 11 victories in [[Triple Crown]] races. He also was the first jockey to win over $100 million. Shoemaker rode from 1949 to 1990, winning on 22.9 percent of his mounts. |
| − | Shoemaker became the most successful jockey in history by winning the [[Kentucky Derby]] four times, the [[Belmont Stakes]] five times, and the [[Preakness]] twice. In 1986, at the age of 54, he became the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. He retired as a jockey in 1990 at the age of 60. Despite an auto accident in 1991 that left him partially paralyzed, Shoemaker worked as a horse trainer until in 1997 | + | Shoemaker became the most successful jockey in history by winning the [[Kentucky Derby]] four times, the [[Belmont Stakes]] five times, and the [[Preakness]] twice. In 1986, at the age of 54, he became the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. He retired as a jockey in 1990 at the age of 60. Despite an auto accident in 1991 that left him partially paralyzed, Shoemaker worked as a horse trainer until in 1997. |
==Early life and career== | ==Early life and career== | ||
| − | Referred to as "Bill," "Willie," and "The Shoe," Shoemaker was born in the town of [[Fabens, Texas]]. At 2.5 pounds, he was so small at birth that he was not expected to survive the night. Put in a shoebox in the oven to stay warm, he survived, but remained small, growing to 4 feet, 11 inches and weighing only 95 pounds. A schoolboy wrestler and [[Golden Gloves boxer]], his diminutive size proved an asset as he went on to become a giant in [[thoroughbred horse racing]]. | + | Referred to as "Bill," "Willie," and "The Shoe," Shoemaker was born in the town of [[Fabens, Texas]], but spent most of his career on the West Coast, repeatedly wining the most important stakes of his day all over the country. At 2.5 pounds, he was so small at birth that he was not expected to survive the night. Put in a shoebox in the oven to stay warm, he survived, but remained small, growing to 4 feet, 11 inches and weighing only 95 pounds. A schoolboy wrestler and [[Golden Gloves boxer]], his diminutive size proved an asset as he went on to become a giant in [[thoroughbred horse racing]]. |
| − | His career as a [[jockey]] began in his teenage years, with his first professional ride at age 17 on March 19, 1949. The first of his eventual 8,833 career victories came a month later, on April 20, aboard a racer named Shafter V. By 1951, he was already a leading rider, winning the [[George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award]]. | + | His career as a [[jockey]] began in his teenage years, with his first professional ride at age 17 on March 19, 1949. The first of his eventual 8,833 career victories came a month later, on April 20, aboard a racer named Shafter V. With 219 wins during his first year, Shoemaker rode in every major race. By 1951, he was already a leading rider, winning the [[George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award]]. |
==Triple Crown winner== | ==Triple Crown winner== | ||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
* [[Belmont Stakes]]: [[Gallant Man]] (1957), [[Sword Dancer]] (1959), [[Jaipur (horse)|Jaipur]] (1962), Damascus (1967) and [[Avatar (horse)|Avatar]] (1975) | * [[Belmont Stakes]]: [[Gallant Man]] (1957), [[Sword Dancer]] (1959), [[Jaipur (horse)|Jaipur]] (1962), Damascus (1967) and [[Avatar (horse)|Avatar]] (1975) | ||
| − | Two of Shoemaker's most noted rides were at the [[Kentucky Derby]]. He lost the 1957 Derby aboard the mount [[Gallant Man]], when he stood up in the stirrups too soon, having misjudged the finish line. He and Gallant Man ended up finishing second to [[Bill Hartack]] aboard [[Iron Liege]]. At the 1986 Kentucky Derby, Shoemaker became the oldest [[jockey]] ever to win the race (at age 54) aboard the 18-1 long-shot, Ferdinand. The following year, he rode Ferdinand to a victory over [[Alysheba]] in the [[Breeders' Cup]] Classic to capture Horse of the Year honors. | + | Two of Shoemaker's most noted rides were at the [[Kentucky Derby]]. He lost the 1957 Derby aboard the mount [[Gallant Man]], when he stood up in the stirrups too soon, having moemntarily misjudged the finish line. He and Gallant Man ended up finishing second to [[Bill Hartack]] aboard [[Iron Liege]]. He was the leading American jockey in 1950, 1953, 1954, 1958, and 1959. Until the late 1980s, when purses became inflated, he was the top money-winner. Bill Shoemaker suffered serious injuries in 1968 and 1969 that could have ended his career, but he came back for many successful years of riding. |
| + | |||
| + | At the 1986 Kentucky Derby, Shoemaker became the oldest [[jockey]] ever to win the race (at age 54) aboard the 18-1 long-shot, Ferdinand. The following year, he rode Ferdinand to a victory over [[Alysheba]] in the [[Breeders' Cup]] Classic to capture Horse of the Year honors. | ||
Shoemaker also rode the popular [[California]] horse [[Silky Sullivan]], about which he is quoted as saying: "You just had to let him run his race... and if he decided to win it, you'd better hold on because you'd be moving faster than a train." However, Shoemaker was quoted as saying that Spectacular Bid was the best horse he ever rode. <ref>[http://www.latimes.com/sports/horseracing/la-sp-125horsesmar30,1,1949145.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-horse_raci&ctrack=1&cset=true Interview with Bill Shoemaker] www.latimes.com | Shoemaker also rode the popular [[California]] horse [[Silky Sullivan]], about which he is quoted as saying: "You just had to let him run his race... and if he decided to win it, you'd better hold on because you'd be moving faster than a train." However, Shoemaker was quoted as saying that Spectacular Bid was the best horse he ever rode. <ref>[http://www.latimes.com/sports/horseracing/la-sp-125horsesmar30,1,1949145.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-horse_raci&ctrack=1&cset=true Interview with Bill Shoemaker] www.latimes.com | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
| − | Shoemaker broke the record of [[jockey]] [[Johnny Longden]] with his his 6,033rd victory in September 1970. Win number 8,833, Shoemaker's last, came at [[Gulfstream Park]], [[Florida]] on January 20, 1990 aboard Beau Genius. Two weeks later, on February 3, Shoemaker rode in his last race as a [[jockey]], at California's [[Santa Anita Park]]. He finished fourth, aboard a [[horse]] by the name of Patchy Groundfog. All told, Bill Shoemaker rode in a record 40,350 races. | + | Shoemaker broke the record of [[jockey]] [[Johnny Longden]] with his his 6,033rd victory in September 1970. Win number 8,833, Shoemaker's last, came at [[Gulfstream Park]], [[Florida]] on January 20, 1990 aboard Beau Genius. Two weeks later, on February 3, Shoemaker rode in his last race as a [[jockey]], at California's [[Santa Anita Park]]. He finished fourth, aboard a [[horse]] by the name of Patchy Groundfog. He won one million dollars during his final 9-month tour. All told, Bill Shoemaker rode in a record 40,350 races. Shoemaker rode so many fine horses that he found it difficult to identify the best Thoroughbred of his career. He frequently identified three horses as his best: ''Swaps'', early in his career; ''Spectacular Bid'' for the middle; and ''Ferdinand'', for the end of his career. He considers his ride aboard ''Olden Times'' in the 1962 San Juan Capistrano as one of his finest. |
In 1999, Shoemaker's own record of 8,833 career victories was broken by Panamanian-born [[Laffit Pincay Jr.]]; the record is currently held by [[Russell Baze]]. | In 1999, Shoemaker's own record of 8,833 career victories was broken by Panamanian-born [[Laffit Pincay Jr.]]; the record is currently held by [[Russell Baze]]. | ||
==After riding== | ==After riding== | ||
| − | Soon after retiring as a jockey, Shoemaker returned to the track as a trainer, where he had modest success. A drunk-driving car accident on April 8, 1991 left him paralyzed from the neck down and wheelchair-bound, but he continued to train racehorses until his retirement in 1997. Shoemaker sued [[Ford]] after the [[Ford Bronco II|Bronco II]] he was driving rolled over near [[San Dimas, California]] and Ford settled for $1 million. | + | Soon after retiring as a jockey, Shoemaker returned to the track as a trainer, where he had modest success. A drunk-driving car accident on April 8, 1991 left him paralyzed from the neck down and wheelchair-bound, but he continued to train racehorses until his retirement in 1997. Shoemaker sued [[Ford]] after the [[Ford Bronco II|Bronco II]] he was driving rolled over near [[San Dimas, California]] and Ford settled for $1 million. Shoemaker worked with the Paralysis Project, where he served as honorary chair. |
| + | |||
| + | After his accident, Shoemaker was asked if he had any words of inspiration for someone who was in the same situation as his: | ||
| + | |||
| + | :Well, I think maybe that when you're thinking about how bad you feel and why has this happened to me sort of syndrome, just think about other people that might be in your situation and maybe are worse off than you are at the moment and don't ever, ever give up. That's the worse thing you can do. I know some days are tough and you get down and wonder how you would like to be back like you were before. But, that time will come and you believe that it will happen. And, as I said, the most important thing is don't ever, ever, ever give up. | ||
| + | |||
| + | (''Mind over Body: The Willie Shoemaker Story with Willie Shoemaker'', MedicineNet.com, 2007) | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Shoemaker died on October 12, 2003, from natural causes. | ||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
| Line 50: | Line 61: | ||
One of the greatest jockeys in [[thoroughbred racing]] history, Shoemaker racked up an astounding 8,883 victories in 40,350 races from 1949 to 1990. He won the [[Kentucky Derby]] four times, including in 1986 on Ferdinand as the oldest jockey to win the Derby at 54. He won 11 [[Triple Crown]] races. He was the first jockey to win over $100 million. | One of the greatest jockeys in [[thoroughbred racing]] history, Shoemaker racked up an astounding 8,883 victories in 40,350 races from 1949 to 1990. He won the [[Kentucky Derby]] four times, including in 1986 on Ferdinand as the oldest jockey to win the Derby at 54. He won 11 [[Triple Crown]] races. He was the first jockey to win over $100 million. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 01:27, 19 October 2007
| Bill Shoemaker | ||
 Shoemaker plaque at Golden Gate Fields | ||
| Occupation: | Jockey | |
| Birthplace: |  Fabens, Texas, US
| |
| Birth date: | August 19 1931 | |
| Death date: | October 12 2003 (aged 72) | |
| Career wins: | 8,833 | |
| Major Racing Wins & Honours & Awards | ||
| Major Racing Wins | ||
| Santa Anita Handicap (11) Blue Grass Stakes (6) Hollywood Derby (8) Oak Tree Invitational Stakes (8) Hollywood Gold Cup (8) Santa Anita Derby (8) John C. Mabee Handicap (5) San Diego Handicap (4) Bing Crosby Handicap (3) Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (4) Del Mar Oaks (4) Del Mar Handicap (8) Palomar Breeders' Cup Handicap (5) Del Mar Debutante Stakes (5) Del Mar Futurity (6) Jockey Club Gold Cup (4) United Nations Handicap (3) American Classics / Breeders' Cup wins: | ||
| Racing Awards | ||
| United States Champion Jockey by earnings (10 years) United States Champion Jockey by wins (1950, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1959) George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award (1951) Big Sport of Turfdom Award (1969) Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey (1981) Eclipse Award of Merit (1981) Mike Venezia Memorial Award (1990) | ||
| Honours | ||
| National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (1958) Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Stakes at Hollywood Park Lifesize bust at Santa Anita Park | ||
| Significant Horses | ||
| Swaps, Round Table, Northern Dancer, Buckpasser, Ack Ack, Ferdinand, Cicada, Damascus, Gallant Man, Sword Dancer, Forego, Jaipur, John Henry, Spectacular Bid, Gamely | ||
|
Infobox last updated on: March 6, 2007. | ||
William Lee Shoemaker (August 19, 1931 – October 12, 2003) was one of the greatest American jockeys. The former all-time leader in career victories (8,833—surpassed in 1999 by Laffit Pincay, Jr.), he had 11 victories in Triple Crown races. He also was the first jockey to win over $100 million. Shoemaker rode from 1949 to 1990, winning on 22.9 percent of his mounts.
Shoemaker became the most successful jockey in history by winning the Kentucky Derby four times, the Belmont Stakes five times, and the Preakness twice. In 1986, at the age of 54, he became the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. He retired as a jockey in 1990 at the age of 60. Despite an auto accident in 1991 that left him partially paralyzed, Shoemaker worked as a horse trainer until in 1997.
Early life and career
Referred to as "Bill," "Willie," and "The Shoe," Shoemaker was born in the town of Fabens, Texas, but spent most of his career on the West Coast, repeatedly wining the most important stakes of his day all over the country. At 2.5 pounds, he was so small at birth that he was not expected to survive the night. Put in a shoebox in the oven to stay warm, he survived, but remained small, growing to 4 feet, 11 inches and weighing only 95 pounds. A schoolboy wrestler and Golden Gloves boxer, his diminutive size proved an asset as he went on to become a giant in thoroughbred horse racing.
His career as a jockey began in his teenage years, with his first professional ride at age 17 on March 19, 1949. The first of his eventual 8,833 career victories came a month later, on April 20, aboard a racer named Shafter V. With 219 wins during his first year, Shoemaker rode in every major race. By 1951, he was already a leading rider, winning the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.
Triple Crown winner
Shoemaker won 11 Triple Crown races during his career, but the Crown itself—symbolizing victory in all three major U.S. races in one year—eluded him. The breakdown of these wins is as follows:
- Kentucky Derby: Swaps (1955), Tomy Lee (1959), Lucky Debonair (1965) and Ferdinand (1986)
- Preakness Stakes: Candy Spots (1963) and Damascus (1967)
- Belmont Stakes: Gallant Man (1957), Sword Dancer (1959), Jaipur (1962), Damascus (1967) and Avatar (1975)
Two of Shoemaker's most noted rides were at the Kentucky Derby. He lost the 1957 Derby aboard the mount Gallant Man, when he stood up in the stirrups too soon, having moemntarily misjudged the finish line. He and Gallant Man ended up finishing second to Bill Hartack aboard Iron Liege. He was the leading American jockey in 1950, 1953, 1954, 1958, and 1959. Until the late 1980s, when purses became inflated, he was the top money-winner. Bill Shoemaker suffered serious injuries in 1968 and 1969 that could have ended his career, but he came back for many successful years of riding.
At the 1986 Kentucky Derby, Shoemaker became the oldest jockey ever to win the race (at age 54) aboard the 18-1 long-shot, Ferdinand. The following year, he rode Ferdinand to a victory over Alysheba in the Breeders' Cup Classic to capture Horse of the Year honors.
Shoemaker also rode the popular California horse Silky Sullivan, about which he is quoted as saying: "You just had to let him run his race... and if he decided to win it, you'd better hold on because you'd be moving faster than a train." However, Shoemaker was quoted as saying that Spectacular Bid was the best horse he ever rode. [1]
Shoemaker broke the record of jockey Johnny Longden with his his 6,033rd victory in September 1970. Win number 8,833, Shoemaker's last, came at Gulfstream Park, Florida on January 20, 1990 aboard Beau Genius. Two weeks later, on February 3, Shoemaker rode in his last race as a jockey, at California's Santa Anita Park. He finished fourth, aboard a horse by the name of Patchy Groundfog. He won one million dollars during his final 9-month tour. All told, Bill Shoemaker rode in a record 40,350 races. Shoemaker rode so many fine horses that he found it difficult to identify the best Thoroughbred of his career. He frequently identified three horses as his best: Swaps, early in his career; Spectacular Bid for the middle; and Ferdinand, for the end of his career. He considers his ride aboard Olden Times in the 1962 San Juan Capistrano as one of his finest.
In 1999, Shoemaker's own record of 8,833 career victories was broken by Panamanian-born Laffit Pincay Jr.; the record is currently held by Russell Baze.
After riding
Soon after retiring as a jockey, Shoemaker returned to the track as a trainer, where he had modest success. A drunk-driving car accident on April 8, 1991 left him paralyzed from the neck down and wheelchair-bound, but he continued to train racehorses until his retirement in 1997. Shoemaker sued Ford after the Bronco II he was driving rolled over near San Dimas, California and Ford settled for $1 million. Shoemaker worked with the Paralysis Project, where he served as honorary chair.
After his accident, Shoemaker was asked if he had any words of inspiration for someone who was in the same situation as his:
- Well, I think maybe that when you're thinking about how bad you feel and why has this happened to me sort of syndrome, just think about other people that might be in your situation and maybe are worse off than you are at the moment and don't ever, ever give up. That's the worse thing you can do. I know some days are tough and you get down and wonder how you would like to be back like you were before. But, that time will come and you believe that it will happen. And, as I said, the most important thing is don't ever, ever, ever give up.
(Mind over Body: The Willie Shoemaker Story with Willie Shoemaker, MedicineNet.com, 2007)
Shoemaker died on October 12, 2003, from natural causes.
Legacy
Shoemaker was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1958. He was voted the Mike Venezia Memorial Award for "extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship" in 1990.
One of the greatest jockeys in thoroughbred racing history, Shoemaker racked up an astounding 8,883 victories in 40,350 races from 1949 to 1990. He won the Kentucky Derby four times, including in 1986 on Ferdinand as the oldest jockey to win the Derby at 54. He won 11 Triple Crown races. He was the first jockey to win over $100 million.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Phillips, Louis, & Goodman, Michele E. Willie Shoemaker, Silver Burdett Press Press, 1988.
- Shoemaker, Bill, & Nagler, Barney. Shoemaker, Doubleday, 1988 ISBN 0-385-23945-9
- Smith, Bill, & Shoemaker, Dan. The Shoe: Willie Shoemaker's Illustrated Book of Racing, Rand McNally, 1976. ASIN B000MYZ2DO
- Stevens, Gary. The Perfect Ride, Amazon Remainders Account, 2002. ASIN B0000DK4HS
Outside links
- William Shoemaker at the United States National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
- ESPN story Shoemaker made racing history by Ron Flatter
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
- ↑ Interview with Bill Shoemaker www.latimes.com
