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William Shoemaker |
| Riding Career: | 1949-1990 |
| Number of Mounts: | 40,350 |
| Number of Winners: | 8,833 |
| Winning Percentage: | 21.9% |
There are few words adequate to describe the career of Bill Shoemaker. He rode from 1949 to 1990 and is one of the best jockeys of all time. Until December of 1999 he held the record for lifetime wins, a record that was held by John Longden and is now held by Lafit Pincay. Shoemaker won with nearly 22% of his mounts. Shoemaker was born in Texas and spent most of his career on the West Coast, but repeatedly won the most important stakes of his day all over the country. He considers his ride aboard Olden Times in the 1962 San Juan Capistrano one of his finest rides.
Principal Races Won: | 4 Kentucky Derbys | 2 Preakness Stakes | | 5 Belmont Stakes | 6 Blue Grass Stakes | | 11 Santa Anita Handicaps | 8 Hollywood Derbys | | 8 Oak Tree Invitationals | 8 Hollywood Gold Cups | | 4 Jockey Club Gold Cups | 8 Santa Anita Derbys | | 3 Florida Derbys | | There are not many low points in a career like Shoemaker's, but the 1957 Kentucky Derby is one race that few will forget. Shoemaker was winning the race aboard Gallant Man when he momentarily misjudged the finish and lost to Iron Liege. 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.
Shoemaker aboard Swaps in '55 San Vincente
© 1955 Santa Anita Photo
Significant Mounts | Swaps | Spectacular Bid | Round Table | | Cicada | Ack Ack | Forego | | Sword Dancer | Gallant Man | Damascus | | John Henry | Buckpasser | Gamely | | Northern Dancer | Ferdinand | Hill Rise | | Tom Rolfe | Cougar | Candy Spots | 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. Ironically, his most serious injury came after his retirement. In 1991 a car accident left Shoemaker paralyzed. Shoemaker retired from riding at age 58 and has enjoyed modest success as a trainer. He also has co-authored with Dick Lochte a mystery novel entitled Stalking Horse.
Film Clip
Shoemaker and Spectacular Bid win the Santa Anita Handicap (part 1)
In Pursuit of Greatness © Los Angeles Turf Club
AVI
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Film Clip
Shoemaker and Spectacular Bid win the Santa Anita Handicap (part 2)
In Pursuit of Greatness © Los Angeles Turf Club
AVI
Film Clip or RealMedia
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| Awards and Achievements Annual leading money-winning jockey, 10 years
Annual leading jockey in races won, 5 years
2 Eclipse Awards: Outstanding Jockey and Award of Merit, 1981
1951 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award
1990 Mike Venezia Award
Inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1958 | Bill Shoemaker has received many awards for his achievements. He was the nation's leading jockey for 15 years and has won two Eclipse Awards and the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, among others. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1958.
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