Three times North America’s leading rider, Johnny Adams topped the list in 1937 with 260 wins, in 1942 with 245 wins, and 1943 with 228 wins. When he rode his 3,000th winner in 1955, only three jockeys — Hall of Famers Johnny Longden, Eddie Arcaro, and Ted Atkinson — had won more races.
1965
Biography
Three times North America’s leading rider, Johnny Adams topped the list in 1937 with 260 wins, in 1942 with 245 wins, and 1943 with 228 wins. When he rode his 3,000th winner in 1955, only three jockeys — Hall of Famers Johnny Longden, Eddie Arcaro, and Ted Atkinson — had won more races.
Born in Arkansas in 1915, Adams grew up in Iola, Kansas, and won his first race in 1934 at old Riverside Park in Kansas City. A short, barrel-chested man, at 4-foot-8, Adams was known as the “Iola Mite.” He rode with a long rein and was not known as a stylish rider, but one with good hands and a sure sense of pace who always seemed to know just when to move a horse.
Adams won six races on a card at Bay Meadows in 1938 and six in a day at Thistledown in 1942. During a three-day period at Lincoln Fields in 1952, Adams won on 12 of his 14 mounts. He won the Santa Anita Handicap aboard Kayak II in 1939 and in 1946 with War Knight, as well as the 1954 Preakness Stakes with Hasty Road. He also won the Kentucky Oaks twice (1942, 1944) and the inaugural running of the Hollywood Derby in 1938.
When he retired in 1958 with 3,270 wins and turned to training, his first winner as a conditioner was ridden by his son, John R. Adams. His biggest victory as a trainer was the 1977 Swaps Stakes, for which he saddled J. O. Tobin to an upset victory against unbeaten Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.
Achievements
North America's leading rider in wins — 1937, 1942, 1943
Triple Crown Highlights
Won the 1954 Preakness Stakes — Hasty Road
Other Highlights
Won the Hollywood Derby — 1938, 1939
Won the Santa Anita Handicap — 1939, 1946
Won the San Juan Capistrano Handicap — 1940, 1949
Won the Kentucky Oaks — 1942, 1944
Won the Coaching Club American Oaks — 1945, 1947
During the three-year period of 1918 through 1920, Baltimore native Lavelle “Buddy” Ensor was recognized as one of the most talented and accomplished American jockeys. He won 117 races in 1918, followed with 70 wins in 1919, and enjoyed what is generally considered his best year in the saddle during 1920 with 116 wins from 372 mounts and earnings of $192,244. His 31-percent win rate in 1920 was the highest of the year, and his win total was second only to Hall of Famer James Butwell.
1962
Biography
During the three-year period of 1918 through 1920, Baltimore native Lavelle “Buddy” Ensor was recognized as one of the most talented and accomplished American jockeys. He won 117 races in 1918, followed with 70 wins in 1919, and enjoyed what is generally considered his best year in the saddle during 1920 with 116 wins from 372 mounts and earnings of $192,244. His 31-percent win rate in 1920 was the highest of the year, and his win total was second only to Hall of Famer James Butwell.
Ensor was known for his ability to get horses to run for him; he had good hands and an excellent sense of pace. Ensor was brought to the races by Hall of Fame trainer H. Guy Bedwell, with 1917 being his first season of note. During an 11-day span in 1919, Ensor won 33 races, taking five of six on one card.
Ensor rode for top owners such as Hall of Fame members Harry Payne Whitney and C. V. Whitney, as well as Walter M. Jeffords, Richard T. Wilson, and Harry F. Sinclair. His mounts included Hall of Famers Grey Lag and Exterminator, and he won top races such as the Coaching Club American Oaks (1918, 1919), Saratoga Special (1918), Suburban Handicap (1919), Travers Stakes (1919), Champagne Stakes (1920), Brooklyn Handicap (1920), Pimlico Cup (1920), and Remsen Stakes (1920), among others.
Personal problems sidelined Ensor from 1922 through 1931, but he returned to ride sporadically in the 1930s and made comeback attempts as late as 1945. He died two years later at the age of 47. Ensor is credited with 436 career wins.
Achievements
Won the Coaching Club American Oaks — 1918, 1919
Won the Saratoga Special — 1918
Won the Suburban Handicap — 1919
Won the Travers Stakes — 1919
Won the Brooklyn Handicap — 1920
Won the Champagne Stakes — 1920
Seven-time leading steeplechase jockey Frank David “Dooley” Adams was the first rider to win more than 30 jump races in a single year when he piloted 35 winners in 1951, a record he surpassed in 1954 when he won 38 races.
1970
Biography
Seven-time leading steeplechase jockey Frank David “Dooley” Adams was the first rider to win more than 30 jump races in a single year when he piloted 35 winners in 1951, a record he surpassed in 1954 when he won 38 races.
Born in 1927 in Port Chester, New York, Adams won his first race, a brush event in Mexico at Agua Caliente, at the age of 14. He started riding professionally in the United States as a 16-year-old in 1943, and at 19 tied with John Magee with 28 wins atop the national steeplechase leaderboard in 1946. Second in wins each of the next two years, Adams then topped the jockey list in six of the next seven years (1949, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955).
Winner of nearly every major steeplechase event, Adams won both the Saratoga and Beverwyck handicaps four times each; the Harbor Hill, Temple Gwathmey, and Brook three times each; and the Grand National twice.
Adams rode many of the top jumpers of his era, including Hall of Fame members Neji, a three-time champion, and Elkridge, a two-time champion. During his 14-year career, Adams was never penalized for a riding infraction.
Adams retired with 301 steeplechase wins, a record at the time. He also won 36 flat races for a total of 337 overall wins.
Achievements
North America's leading steeplechase rider in wins — 1946, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955
Joe Aitcheson, Jr. did not begin riding professionally until the age of 28. After high school, Aitcheson enrolled at the University of Maryland before enlisting in the United States Navy. He served four years during the Korean War as a gunner’s mate on the U.S.S. Oriskany. Upon his discharge at age 28, Aitcheson became a steeplechase jockey, arguably the greatest of all time. He first rode for Frank “Pop” Adams, then signed with Hall of Fame trainer D. M. “Mikey” Smithwick in 1957.
1978
Biography
Joe Aitcheson, Jr. did not begin riding professionally until the age of 28. After high school, Aitcheson enrolled at the University of Maryland before enlisting in the United States Navy. He served four years during the Korean War as a gunner’s mate on the U.S.S. Oriskany. Upon his discharge at age 28, Aitcheson became a steeplechase jockey, arguably the greatest of all time. He first rode for Frank “Pop” Adams, then signed with Hall of Fame trainer D. M. “Mikey” Smithwick in 1957.
Aitcheson, a seven-time leading jockey in wins, topped the rider standings for the first time in 1961 with 37 victories. He led the list again with 38 wins in 1963 and set a single-season record with 40 wins the following year. Despite numerous injuries, Aitcheson led all riders in wins again in 1967 with 36, in 1968 with 33, in 1969 with 32, and in 1970 with 25.
Upon his retirement, Aitcheson had won a record 440 jump races, plus 38 races on the flat at hunt meetings. He rode Hall of Famers Bon Nouvel and Tuscalee, as well as champions Pearl, Amber Diver, Top Bid, and Soothsayer.
Aitcheson won the Virginia Gold Cup eight times, the Carolina Cup seven times, the International Gold Cup six times, the Temple Gwathmey, Noel Laing, Midsummer, and Manly steeplechases five times each, and the Colonial Cup twice.
Aitcheson, whom legendary writer Red Smith once said was “held together with bailing wire and tape” because of the numerous injuries he suffered through riding, became the first jockey ever to receive the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association’s F. Ambrose Clark Memorial Award in 1976.
Achievements
North America's all-time leading steeplechase rider in wins (440)
North America's leading steeplechase rider in wins — 1961, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970
Other Highlights
Won the Virginia Gold Cup — 1957, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972
Won the Carolina Cup — 1959, 1960, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1975, 1977
A seven-time Eclipse Award winner, Jerry Bailey won 5,894 races in his career, including two wins in each Triple Crown race and 15 Breeders’ Cup victories.
1995
Biography
A seven-time Eclipse Award winner, Jerry Bailey won 5,894 races in his career, including two wins in each Triple Crown race and 15 Breeders’ Cup victories.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Bailey began riding quarter horses at the age of 12 and started riding thoroughbreds competitively at 17 in 1974. Based primarily in New York and Florida, Baily won 216 Grade 1 races in his career (a record at the time of his retirement), 16 riding titles in New York, and earned more than $296 million, second only to Pat Day at the time of Bailey’s retirement.
In the Triple Crown series, Baily won the Kentucky Derby with Sea Hero (1993) and Grindstone (1996); the Preakness with Hansel (1991) and Red Bullet (2000); and the Belmont with Hansel (1991) and Empire Maker (2003). Bailey’s 15 Breeders’ Cup wins include five editions of the Classic — Black Tie Affair (1991), Arcangues (at odds of 133-1 in 1993), Concern (1994), Cigar (1995), and Saint Liam (2005) — a record he shares with Hall of Famer Chris McCarron.
Bailey had multiple victories in numerous significant races, including the Travers (1986, 1993, 2002), Whitney (1992, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003), Hopeful (1982, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005), Kentucky Oaks (1993, 2001, 2005), Dubai World Cup (1996, 1997, 2001, 2002), Jockey Club Gold Cup (1995, 1997, 2001), Hollywood Gold Cup (1992, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2003), Jaipur (1984, 1991, 1993, 1998, 2001, 2002), Pimlico Special (1995, 1997, 2001), and Arlington Million (2000, 2002), among others.
Bailey rode Hall of Famer Cigar to 16 consecutive victories from October of 1994 into the summer of 1996. The wins included the Oaklawn Handicap, Gulfstream Park Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Pimlico Special, Breeders’ Cup Classic, Woodward Stakes, and two runnings of both the Donn and Massachusetts handicaps.
In 1995, Bailey won the first of three consecutive Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Jockey. He then won the award four consecutive years from 2000 through 2003. He also received the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 1992.
Achievements
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey — 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
North America's leading rider in earnings — 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003
Triple Crown Highlights
Won the 1993 Kentucky Derby — Sea Hero
Won the 1996 Kentucky Derby — Grindstone
Won the 1991 Preakness Stakes — Hansel
Won the 2000 Preakness — Red Bullet
Won the 1991 Belmont Stakes — Hansel
Won the 2003 Belmont Stakes — Empire Maker
Breeders' Cup Highlights
Won the 1991 Classic — Black Tie Affair
Won the 1993 Classic — Arcangues
Won the 1994 Classic — Concern
Won the 1995 Classic — Cigar
Won the 1995 Juvenile Fillies — My Flag
Won the 1996 Juvenile — Boston Harbor
Won the 1998 Juvenile — Answer Lively
Won the 1999 Filly and Mare Turf — Soaring Softly
Won the 1999 Juvenile Fillies — Cash Run
Won the 2000 Filly and Mare Turf — Perfect Sting
Won the 2000 Juvenile — Macho Uno
Won the 2001 Sprint — Squirtle Squirt
Won the 2002 Sprint — Orientate
Won the 2003 Mile — Six Perfections
Won the 2005 Classic — Saint Liam
George Barbee won the inaugural Preakness Stakes in 1873 aboard Survivor and added two more victories in what later became known as the second jewel of the American Triple Crown series. Barbee’s third win in the Preakness — in 1883 with Jacobus — tied the record set by Lloyd Hughes and was not surpassed for 68 years.
1996
Biography
George Barbee won the inaugural Preakness Stakes in 1873 aboard Survivor and added two more victories in what later became known as the second jewel of the American Triple Crown series. Barbee’s third win in the Preakness — in 1883 with Jacobus — tied the record set by Lloyd Hughes and was not surpassed for 68 years.
Barbee was born in Norfolk, England, in 1854. He began working with horses when he was apprenticed to trainer Tom Jennings, Sr., in the stables of Count de Lagrange as an exercise rider for 1865 English Triple Crown winner Gladiateur. Barbee came to the United States in 1872 specifically to ride for John F. Chamberlain at Monmouth Park. He won his first race that year at Monmouth with a horse named King Henry at odds of 50-1.
Barbee’s victory aboard Survivor in the first Preakness was by 10 lengths. The margin of victory in that race stood as a Preakness record until Smarty Jones won the 2004 edition by 11½ lengths. Barbee also won the Preakness aboard Shirley (1876) and Jacobus (1883). His three Preakness wins — a record he shared with Hughes — was not surpassed until Eddie Arcaro won the race for a fourth time in 1951.
Along with his success in the Preakness, Barbee won the 1874 Belmont Stakes aboard the English-bred colt Saxon, as well as the 1874 and 1875 Travers Stakes aboard Attila and D’Artagnan, respectively.
Tom Ochiltree was one of Barbee’s most significant mounts. He rode the colt to victory in the Saratoga Cup, Monmouth Cup, Centennial Cup, Westchester Cup, and Baltimore Cup. Other notable horses ridden by Barbee include Parole, Duke of Magenta, Springbok, Eole, and Uncas.
Barbee won a verified 136 races in America and many more in England. Other notable wins in the United States include the Bowie Stakes, Monmouth Oaks, Jockey Club Handicap (twice), Champion Stakes, Autumn Cup, Buffalo Handicap, Champagne Stakes, United States Hotel Stakes (twice), Flash Stakes, and Kenner Stakes, among others. Barbee also won the Newmarket International Handicap in England.
Turf historian Walter Vosburgh described Barbee as “one of the most muscular and powerful jockeys that ever wore silk. He is built like a gladiator and would serve as a man model of the smaller type. He is a capital judge of pace, and a superb finisher.”
Toward the end of his riding career, Barbee became the trainer for J. E. Kelly’s stable. Barbee died in 1941 and was buried near Belmont Park.
Achievements
Triple Crown Highlights
Won the 1873 Preakness Stakes — Survivor
Won the 1876 Preakness Stakes — Shirley
Won the 1883 Preakness Stakes — Jacobus
Wonthe 1874 Belmont Stakes — Saxon
Other Highlights
Won the Jockey Club Stakes — 1876, 1880, 1882
Won the United Stakes Hotel Stakes — 1873, 1874
Won the Excelsior Sweepstakes — 1874, 1875
Won the Travers Stakes — 1874, 1875
Won the Saratoga Cup — 1874, 1876
Won the Baltimore Cup — 1876, 1877
Won the Monmouth Cup — 1876, 1882
Won the Westchester Cup — 1877, 1880
Russell Baze concluded a remarkable 42-year career in June of 2016 with 12,842 career wins, more than any jockey in North American racing history.
1999
Biography
Russell Baze concluded a remarkable 42-year career in June of 2016 with 12,842 career wins, more than any jockey in North American racing history.
A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Baze began his professional riding career in 1974 at the age of 16. He won his first race on Oct. 28 that year at Yakima Meadows aboard a horse trained by his father, a former jockey. Baze went on to win 54 riding titles at Golden Gate Fields and 5,765 races overall at the track. On Feb. 1, 2008, Baze became the first North American rider to win 10,000 career races when he hit the milestone at Golden Gate.
At Bay Meadows, Baze won 40 riding titles, including every meet from 1981 until the track closed in 2008. On Dec. 1, 2006, Baze passed Hall of Famer Laffit Pincay. Jr. for the all-time record of wins for a North American jockey when he rode his 9,531st winner, Butterfly Belle, at Bay Meadows.
Baze led all North American jockeys in wins 13 times. In 1994, he was voted a Special Eclipse Award for having won 400 or more races in four consecutive years. Overall, Baze had 13 years in which he won 400 or more races, including a career-high of 448 in 1995.
Notable horses that Baze rode included Eclipse Award winners Lost in the Fog and Shared Belief, as well as standouts Hawkster, Summer Hill, Smiling Tiger, Lexicon, Cause to Believe, Tricky Trevor, Bold Chieftain, Chocolate Candy, Lite Light, and Both Ends Burning. Baze’s Grade 1 wins included the Ancient Title, King’s Bishop, Santa Monica Handicap, and Oak Tree Invitational Handicap. Overall, Baze won a total of 97 graded stakes.
Baze was presented the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 2002.
Achievements
North America's all-time leader in wins by a jockey — 12,842
North America’s leading rider in wins — 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014
Special Eclipse Award — 1994
Won 5,765 races and 54 riding titles at Golden Gate Fields
Won 40 riding titles at Bay Meadows
Louisiana native Randy Romero was the regular jockey for two of the most spectacular fillies of his era, Hall of Fame members Go for Wand and the undefeated Personal Ensign. Romero’s brilliance in the saddle, however, was not limited to those two legends of the sport.
2010
Biography
Louisiana native Randy Romero was the regular jockey for two of the most spectacular fillies of his era, Hall of Fame members Go for Wand and the undefeated Personal Ensign. Romero’s brilliance in the saddle, however, was not limited to those two legends of the sport.
In a career that dated from 1973 to 1999, Romero won 4,294 races from 26,091 mounts (16.4 percent), including 342 stakes. He had purse earnings of $75,264,198 and won riding titles at 10 individual tracks, including Belmont, Arlington, Gulfstream, Hialeah, Keeneland, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. At Keeneland, Romero once won five races in succession and six on one card, and at Gulfstream he won four stakes on a single program.
Romero won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff with Sacahuista (1987) and Personal Ensign (1988) and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies with Go for Wand (1989). The Distaff victory with Personal Ensign — a thrilling come-from-behind effort to nip Hall of Famer Winning Colors at the wire — capped Personal Ensign’s remarkable career with 13 victories in as many starts. Romero was aboard for 12 of those wins.
Along with his success in the Breeders’ Cup, Romero won the Ashland Stakes and Beldame Stakes three times each; the Blue Grass Stakes, Gulfstream Handicap, and Vosburgh Stakes twice each; and single editions of the Arlington Classic, Louisiana Derby, Frizette Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Carter Handicap, Hopeful Stakes, Woodward Stakes, Florida Derby, Whitney Handicap, Haskell Invitational, and Alabama Stakes, among others.
Along with Go for Wand and Personal Ensign, some of Romero’s top mounts included Crème Fraiche, Polish Navy, Banshee Breeze, Housebuster, Hansel, Seeking the Gold, Skip Trial, Yankee Affair, and Java Gold.
Achievements
Breeders’ Cup Highlights
Won the 1987 Distaff — Sacahuista
Won the 1988 Distaff — Personal Ensign
Won the 1989 Juvenile Fillies — Go for Wand
Other Highlights
Won the Ashland Stakes — 1980, 1985, 1990
Won the Beldame Stakes — 1987, 1988, 1990
Won the Hempstead Handicap — 1985, 1988
Won the Secretariat Stakes — 1985, 1990
Won the Gulfstream Park Handicap — 1986, 1987
Won the Blue Grass Stakes — 1989, 1995
Johnny Sellers was the regular rider of Hall of Famer Carry Back, champion 3-year-old in 1961 whose stretch runs carried the little colt into the hearts of America’s sporting public. Aboard Carry Back that year, Sellers won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Flamingo Stakes, and Florida Derby, among others. Sellers led all North American jockeys with 328 wins that year.
2007
Biography
Johnny Sellers was the regular rider of Hall of Famer Carry Back, champion 3-year-old in 1961 whose stretch runs carried the little colt into the hearts of America’s sporting public. Aboard Carry Back that year, Sellers won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Flamingo Stakes, and Florida Derby, among others. Sellers led all North American jockeys with 328 wins that year.
Born in Los Angeles in 1937, but raised in Oklahoma, Sellers began riding in Florida in 1955. In 1960, he won four races worth $100,000 or more aboard T.V. Lark, the Arlington Classic, American Derby, Washington Park Handicap, and United Nations.
In 1965, Sellers won the Belmont and Travers on Hail to All. Also in the mid-1960s, he scored victories against Hall of Famer Kelso and champion Roman Brother while winning the Widener, Suburban, and Brooklyn with Pia Star. He won another Widener on Yorky and took the Monmouth Oaks and Alabama on Firm Policy.
Sellers later rode in California, where his major wins included two editions each of the Kilroe Mile, Strub Stakes, Sunset Handicap, and San Luis Obispo Handicap. He also won the San Juan Capistrano Handicap, Hollywood Oaks, Hollywood Derby, Del Mar Handicap, and Del Mar Oaks, among others.
Overall, Sellers won 2,787 races in 22 years and his purse earnings amounted to $18,359,523.
Achievements
North America's leading rider in wins — 1961
Triple Crown Highlights
Won the 1961 Kentucky Derby — Carry Back
Won the 1961 Preakness Stakes — Carry Back
Won the 1965 Belmont Stakes — Hail to All
Walter Miller rose to the top of his profession at a stunning pace. At the age of 16, the Brooklyn native won the 1906 Preakness Stakes aboard Whimsical and 387 other races that year, setting a record for wins that stood for 44 years. Miller again topped all riders in wins in 1907 with 334.
1955
Biography
Walter Miller rose to the top of his profession at a stunning pace. At the age of 16, the Brooklyn native won the 1906 Preakness Stakes aboard Whimsical and 387 other races that year, setting a record for wins that stood for 44 years. Miller again topped all riders in wins in 1907 with 334.
Techniques gleaned from early mentors such as Hall of Famer jockey James McLaughlin and Hall of Fame trainer James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons, coupled with his own natural athletic abilities, enabled Miller to get his mounts away quickly and keep them in hand.
Miller rode undefeated Hall of Famer Colin to 11 of his 15 wins and also rode Hall of Famer Peter Pan. He also rode champion Ballot. Miller’s major wins included the Travers, Alabama, Brooklyn, Dwyer, Toboggan, Futurity, Saratoga Cup, and two editions of both the Champagne and Matron.
Miller, who won his first race in 1904 at the old Bennings track near Washington, D.C., had a brief American career, ending in 1909. Increasing weight and a succession of fines for rough riding forced Miller to move his tack to Europe, where he rode with success in Austria and other countries. His overseas patrons included the German Kaiser and Baron Oppenheim, and his major wins included the Berlin Grand Prix.
Overall, Miller won a total of 1,094 races in America.
Achievements
North America's leading rider in wins — 1906, 1907
Triple Crown Highlights
Won the 1906 Preakness Stakes — Whimsical
Other Highlights
Won the Sheepshead Bay Handicap — 1905, 1906, 1908
Won the Excelsior Handicap — 1905, 1908
Won the Champagne Stakes — 1906, 1907
Won the Huron Handicap — 1906, 1907
Won the Matron Stakes — 1906, 1907
Won the Alabama Stakes — 1906
Won the Travers Stakes — 1906
Won the Brooklyn Handicap — 1907
Won the Dwyer Stakes — 1907
Won the Futurity Stakes — 1907
Won the Saratoga Handicap — 1907
Won the Saratoga Cup — 1907
Won the Saratoga Special — 1907
