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Julie Krone |
| Riding Career: | 1981-2004 |
| Number of Mounts: | 21,411 |
| Number of Winners: | 3,704 |
| Winning Percentage: | 17.3% |
On August 7, 2000, Julie Krone became the first woman honored in Thoroughbred racing's national Hall of Fame. She won 17% of her races and rode horses earning more than $90 million. Along the way she set or tied a number of records-some for female jockeys, others regardless of gender. In 1987 Krone became the first woman to win the riding title at a major track, topping the standings at Monmouth, Meadowlands, and Atlantic City. Moving primarily to New York, she continued to rank with the best. In 1993 she became the first woman to win a Triple Crown race, capturing a Belmont Stakes victory with Colonial Affair. Later that year she matched Angel Cordero, Jr. and Ron Turcotte for the Saratoga one-day record of five wins. Other achievements include winning 12 of 16 races in a three-day period and two five-win days at the Fair Grounds in her final season.
Krone and sprint champion Rubiano win the Vosburgh. © 1992 Barbara D. Livingston.
Major races won by Julie Krone include the Belmont Stakes, Arlington Classic, Carter Handicap, Cornhusker, Delaware Handicap, Fountain of Youth, Jersey Derby, Molson Export Million, and Withers Stakes. She was the regular rider for sprint champion Rubiano and won major events on Da Hoss, Cryptic Rascal, Maxzene, Clear Mandate, Peaks and Valleys, and Mr. Greeley, among others. Calling herself the 'Comeback Kid,' Krone's career highlights were interspersed with frightening race injuries. The worst accident came on the last day of her successful Saratoga meet in 1993. She was trampled after a spill, badly bruised her heart and ribs, and broke an ankle. In January of 1995 she injured both hands in a fall at Gulfstream Park.
Despite constant pain from her injuries, Julie Krone continued to break new ground for women riders. In February of 1999 she became the first female jockey to win 3,500 races but by April she had had enough. Declaring that she had 'nothing left to prove,' Krone rode her last race on April 18, 1999 and moved on to a career in broadcasting. She resumed riding a few years later and retired in 2004. Julie Krone was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2000.
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