Ted Atkinson rode from 1938 to 1959 and spent half of his career as a contract rider for Greentree Stable. He won 16% of his races.
Ted Atkinson was born in Toronto in 1916 and began riding at the age of 21. He was particularly talented in the use of the whip and was known as a gentleman of established integrity.
One of Atkinson's most memorable races was aboard War Relic when he defeated Whirlaway in the Narragansett Special, but he considered Tom Fool to be his best mount. Tom Fool was 1953's Horse of the Year; Atkinson led him to a Handicap Triple Crown victory in the Metropolitan, Suburban, and Brooklyn Handicaps.
Significant Mounts
| Devil Diver |
Gallorette |
Tom Fool |
| Capot |
Straight Face |
One Hitter |
| Hill Gail |
War Relic |
My Request |
| Olympia |
Hall of Fame |
Admiral Vee |
Atkinson rode many excellent horses. In addition to Tom Fool, he also rode Hall of Fame horses Devil Diver and Gallorette.
| Awards and Achievements
Leading rider in money earned and races won, 1944 and 1946
First jockey whose mounts earned more than $1 million in a year, 1946
George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, 1957
Inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1957
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In the mid-1940's Ted Atkinson was at the peak of his career as the nation's leading rider. In 1957 he received the George Woolf Memorial Award and was inducted in the Hall of Fame.
Atkinson aboard Devil Diver
©Keeneland-Morgan | 