 Eric Guerin was born in Maringouin, Louisiana, and began his career at age 16. He rode his first winner, Sweet Shop, at Narragansett Park in 1941 and his victory marked the beginning of a "sweet" career. The following year he was the nation's leading apprentice rider.
During the 1950's Guerin was a regular rider for Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt. Guerin's most notable Vanderbilt mount and favorite horse was Native Dancer, champion at 2 and 3 and Horse of the Year in 1954. Guerin considered 1960's champion 3-year-old filly, Berlo, his best distaffer.
Significant Mounts
| Native Dancer |
Bed o'Roses |
Jet Pilot |
| But Why Not |
Berlo |
Find |
| Social Outcast |
High Gun |
Brownie |
Guerin and Native Dancer win the Belmont
©Keeneland-Morgan
During his career Guerin won virtually every major race in the country. He won the Kentucky Derby aboard Jet Pilot, two Belmonts aboard Native Dancer and High Gun, and the Preakness aboard Native Dancer. One particularly memorable race was Guerin's triple dead-heat for first aboard Brownie in the 1944 Carter Handicap. Brownie was in a tie with Bossuet and Wait a Bit.
Eric Guerin was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Guerin and Native Dancer win the Belmont
©Keeneland-Morgan | 