Hall of Fame Horse Racing Jockey. His career spanned over 40 years in thoroughbred racing. "The Shoe" rode in 40,350 races resulting in 8,833 wins. In a career in which he rode to four Kentucky Derby wins, he was also the oldest at aged 54 to win the prestigious Run for the Roses aboard Ferdinand in 1986. He also won two Preakness Stakes, five Belmont Stakes and rode Ferdinand to victory in the Breeders Cup in 1987 and also garnered him Horse of the Year honors. Willie, as he was known to many, retired in 1990 with his last race in Santa Anita, the place where he called home. In 1991, he was paralyzed from the neck down as a result of a car crash. After rehabilitative treatment, he returned to the track as a trainer and worked until his retirement in 1997.
Hall of Fame Horse Racing Jockey. His career spanned over 40 years in thoroughbred racing. "The Shoe" rode in 40,350 races resulting in 8,833 wins. In a career in which he rode to four Kentucky Derby wins, he was also the oldest at aged 54 to win the prestigious Run for the Roses aboard Ferdinand in 1986. He also won two Preakness Stakes, five Belmont Stakes and rode Ferdinand to victory in the Breeders Cup in 1987 and also garnered him Horse of the Year honors. Willie, as he was known to many, retired in 1990 with his last race in Santa Anita, the place where he called home. In 1991, he was paralyzed from the neck down as a result of a car crash. After rehabilitative treatment, he returned to the track as a trainer and worked until his retirement in 1997.
Bio by: Allcalmap
Family Members
Half Siblings
Advertisement
