Known for his nerve, keen sense of pace, and physical vigor, Gilbert Watson Patrick rode champions of the turf in four successive decades in the 19th century.
1970
Biography
Known for his nerve, keen sense of pace, and physical vigor, Gilbert Watson Patrick rode champions of the turf in four successive decades in the 19th century.
Commonly referred to as “Gilpatrick,” he was born in Fishkill Plains (near Poughkeepsie), New York, in 1817, and first gained recognition as the rider of Hall of Fame member Boston, champion during the days of heat racing at four miles in the 1830s and 1840s.
In 1855, Patrick rode the son of Boston — Hall of Fame member Lexington — when he set the world record for four miles at 7:19¾ in New Orleans. In the 1860s, he rode one of Lexington’s best sons, Hall of Fame member Kentucky, to victory in the inaugural running of the Travers Stakes in 1864 and the first Saratoga Cup in 1865.
Patrick also won the first Belmont Stakes in 1867 with Hall of Famer Ruthless. Later that summer, Patrick rode Ruthless to victory in the Travers. Among other good horses of the 19th century Patrick rode were Blacknose, Lord of Lorn, Bascombe, Omega, Blue Dick, Santa Anna, Argyle, Monarch, Atalanta, Emily, Rocker, and Zenobia.
In 1879, at the age of 62, Patrick won a mile race on a horse named Baton Rouge.
Achievements
Triple Crown Highlights
Won the 1867 Belmont Stakes — Ruthless
Other Highlights
Won the Travers Stakes — 1864, 1867
Won the Saratoga Cup — 1865
It did not take Frank Coltiletti long to establish himself as one of America’s finest jockeys during the 1920s.
1970
Biography
It did not take Frank Coltiletti long to establish himself as one of America’s finest jockeys during the 1920s.
In his first season, 1919, Coltiletti was leading rider during the fall meeting at Havre de Grace in Maryland. The following year, he rode a career-best 115 winners to finish third in the national standings. In 1921, at the age of 17, he won the Preakness Stakes aboard Broomspun, owned by Hall of Famer Harry Payne Whitney.
Coltiletti said the best horse he ever rode was Mars, with whom he won the 1926 Travers Stakes. That year, Coltiletti also rode Edith Cavell to defeat Black Maria in the Coaching Club American Oaks. In 1927, he won with Black Maria in both the Metropolitan and Ladies handicaps. He twice rode Hall of Famer Sun Beau to victory in the Hawthorne Gold Cup in Chicago.
Other major wins included the 1921 Belmont Futurity with Bunting and the 1926 Hopeful with Lord Chaucer.
Although tall for a jockey at 5-foot-8, Coltiletti was able to maintain his weight around 108 pounds. After retiring with 667 career wins to his credit, Coltiletti became a trainer and then an official with the New York Racing Commission.
Achievements
Triple Crown Highlights
Won the 1921 Preakness Stakes — Broomspun
Other Highlights
Won the Jerome Handicap — 1921, 1923
Won the Potomac Handicap — 1921, 1931
Won the Coaching Club American Oaks — 1926, 1931
Won the Hawthorne Gold Cup — 1929, 1930
Won the Hopeful Stakes — 1926
Won the Travers Stakes — 1926
North America’s leading rider in earnings in 1910, Carroll “Cal” Shilling had, in the words of Hall of Fame trainer Sam Hildreth, “every riding quality that a finished horseman could possess — an almost uncanny ability to break 2-year-olds away from the post, judgment of pace that made you think he must have a stopwatch ticking before his very eyes, a seat so light that he was like a feather on a horse’s back, and a knack for getting every ounce out of his mount.”
1970
Biography
North America’s leading rider in earnings in 1910, Carroll “Cal” Shilling had, in the words of Hall of Fame trainer Sam Hildreth, “every riding quality that a finished horseman could possess — an almost uncanny ability to break 2-year-olds away from the post, judgment of pace that made you think he must have a stopwatch ticking before his very eyes, a seat so light that he was like a feather on a horse’s back, and a knack for getting every ounce out of his mount.”
Born in 1889 in Paris, Texas, Shilling was one of four brothers who became jockeys. He rode at the bush tracks in the Southwest before arriving in the East in 1905, where he quickly became a sensation. He rode such champions as undefeated Hall of Famer Colin, Sir Martin, Fitz Herbert, King James, Dalmatian, and Zeus. One of Shilling's finest performances was when he rode a tiring Worth to win the 1912 Kentucky Derby by a neck.
In his final three seasons of racing, 1910 through 1912, Shilling won 313 races (34 percent). Frequently suspended for rough riding, he was ruled off the track in 1912.
Shilling later served as an assistant to Hall of Fame trainer H. Guy Bedwell and helped develop Hall of Famer Sir Barton, winner of the first Triple Crown in 1919.
Overall, Shilling won 969 races, including two editions of the Aqueduct Handicap, Alabama Stakes, and Saratoga Special. He also won the Metropolitan, Travers, Dwyer, and Futurity.
Achievements
North America's leading rider in earnings — 1910
Triple Crown Highlights
Won the 1912 Kentucky Derby — Worth
Other Highlights
Won the Aqueduct Handicap — 1904, 1909
Won the Alabama Stakes — 1908, 1910
Won the Saratoga Special — 1908, 1910
Won the Dwyer Stakes — 1910
Won the Futurity Stakes — 1910
Won the Metropolitan Handicap — 1910
Won the Spinaway Stakes — 1910
Won the Travers Stakes — 1910
Won the Havre de Grace Handicap — 1912
Rider of Kentucky Derby winners Morvich in 1922 and Bubbling Over in 1926, Albert Johnson also won consecutive editions of the Belmont Stakes with sons of Hall of Famer Man o’ War, American Flag in 1925 and Hall of Famer Crusader in 1926, respectively.
1971
Biography
Rider of Kentucky Derby winners Morvich in 1922 and Bubbling Over in 1926, Albert Johnson also won consecutive editions of the Belmont Stakes with sons of Hall of Famer Man o’ War, American Flag in 1925 and Hall of Famer Crusader in 1926, respectively.
Of all the great horses he rode, Johnson rated Hall of Famer Exterminator the best. He was aboard Exterminator in 1921, when he won several stakes, and rode him the following year during his best season as a 7-year-old, winning the Brooklyn Handicap under 135 pounds, the Kentucky Handicap under 138, and the Toronto Autumn Cup under 132.
Born in Milan, Washington, in 1900, Johnson was a stablehand during his youth before becoming North America’s leading rider in earnings in 1922, when he won the Belmont Futurity on Sally’s Alley, both divisions of the Pimlico Futurity on that horse and Blossom Time, and the Pimlico Oaks on Dinahmeur.
Johnson won the inaugural Pimlico Futurity with Morvich in 1921 and the Champagne on Bubbling Over in 1925. Also in 1925, he won the Alabama Stakes and a second Pimlico Oaks with Maid at Arms. Johnson’s other major wins included the Hopeful (1921), Saratoga Cup (1922), Coaching Club American Oaks (1923), Dwyer Stakes (1925), Schuylerville Stakes (1925), Withers Stakes (1925), and American Derby (1925), among others.
Overall, Johnson won 503 races before going on to become a trainer, primarily for childhood friend Bing Crosby.
Achievements
North America's leading rider in earnings — 1922
Triple Crown Highlights
Won the 1922 Kentucky Derby — Morvich
Won the 1926 Kentucky Derby — Bubbling Over
Won the 1925 Belmont Stakes — American Flag
Won the 1926 Belmont Stakes — Crusader
A native of Scotland, Alfred Robertson became a jockey in 1927, riding in his first race at Mount Royal Park in Canada. Robertson’s initial contract employer was his father, Ross, an owner and trainer. Robertson rode 116 winners in 1928 to finish fourth in the North American standings. He climbed to third the following year with 124 wins and finished in the top 10 in wins seven times and in earnings 10 times.
1971
Biography
A native of Scotland, Alfred Robertson became a jockey in 1927, riding in his first race at Mount Royal Park in Canada. Robertson’s initial contract employer was his father, Ross, an owner and trainer. Robertson rode 116 winners in 1928 to finish fourth in the North American standings. He climbed to third the following year with 124 wins and finished in the top 10 in wins seven times and in earnings 10 times.
Robertson rode for Hall of Fame member Harry Payne Whitney in the late 1920s and then for his son, Hall of Fame member Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, throughout the 1930s. He won the 1929 Travers for the elder Whitney aboard Beacon Hill and won it again in 1941 aboard Hall of Fame member Whirlaway for Calumet Farm. Along with the Travers, Robertson rode Whirlaway to victory that year in the Saranac, American Derby, and Lawrence Realization.
Other top horses ridden by Robertson included Hall of Famer Top Flight, as well as Riverland, Sky Larking, Case Ace, Level Best, Caballero II, and Mate.
Robertson twice rode six winners in a single day, accomplishing the feat at Cuba’s Oriental Park in 1928 and at the Jamaica track in New York in 1941. Overall, he won 1,865 races.
Achievements
Won the Travers Stakes — 1929, 1941
Won the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes — 1930, 1931
Won the Remsen Stakes — 1933, 1940
Won the Arlington Classic — 1931
Won the Suburban Handicap — 1931
Wo the Hopeful Stakes — 1937
Won the Kentucky Oaks — 1937
Won the American Derby — 1941
A native of Maringouin, Louisiana, Oliver Eric Guerin rode his first winner, Sweet Shop, in 1941 at Narragansett Park. The following year, he was the leading apprentice rider in North America.
1972
Biography
A native of Maringouin, Louisiana, Oliver Eric Guerin rode his first winner, Sweet Shop, in 1941 at Narragansett Park. The following year, he was the leading apprentice rider in North America.
In 1947, Guerin won the Kentucky Derby aboard Jet Pilot. One of the most popular riders of his era, Guerin went on to win the Preakness and two editions of the Belmont.
The best horse Guerin ever rode was Hall of Famer Native Dancer, champion at ages 2 and 3 and Horse of the Year as a 4-year-old in 1954. Guerin’s wins aboard Native Dancer included the 1953 Preakness and Belmont.
Guerin won the Belmont again in 1954 with champion High Gun. He rode numerous other champions, including Hall of Famer Bed o’ Roses, Berlo, One Count, Summer Tan, Battlefield, Blue Peter, Crafty Admiral, But Why Not, Next Move, Parlo, Conniver, Romanita, Grecian Queen, and Rose Jet.
Overall, Guerin won 2,712 races, including the Hopeful four times, the Travers, Alabama, Saratoga Special, Coaching Club American Oaks, Gazelle, Prioress, and Beldame three times each.
Achievements
Triple Crown Highlights
Won the 1947 Kentucky Derby — Jet Pilot
Won the 1953 Preakness Stakes — Native Dancer
Won the 1953 Belmont Stakes — Native Dancer
Won the 1954 Belmont Stakes —High Gun
Other Highlights
Won the Hopeful Stakes — 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952
Won the Alabama Stakes — 1946, 1947, 1956
Won the Saratoga Special — 1948, 1951, 1952
Won the Prioress Stakes — 1950, 1953, 1955
Won the Coaching Club American Oaks — 1950, 1953, 1960
Won the Gazelle Handicap — 1950, 1953, 1960
Won the Beldame Stakes — 1952, 1954, 1960
Won the Travers Stakes — 1952, 1953, 1963
The leading money-winning jockey in North America in 1920 when he posted career-highs of 87 wins and purse earnings of $292,376, Clarence Kummer piloted Hall of Famer Man o’ War to nine of the mighty colt’s 11 victories that year, including the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
1972
Biography
The leading money-winning jockey in North America in 1920 when he posted career-highs of 87 wins and purse earnings of $292,376, Clarence Kummer piloted Hall of Famer Man o’ War to nine of the mighty colt’s 11 victories that year, including the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
A New York City native, Kummer rode many of the best horses of his era, winning stakes aboard Hall of Famers Sir Barton, Exterminator, Billy Kelly, Crusader, and Sarazen, as well as champions St. James, Master Charlie, Chance Play, and Black Maria.
Kummer won the first two runnings of the Jockey Club Stakes (later renamed the Jockey Club Gold Cup) in 1919 with Purchase and in 1920 with Man o’ War, respectively. He won his second Preakness with Coventry in 1925 and his second Belmont in 1928 with Vito. Kummer’s great talent was best shown in the 1924 International Special when he brought Ladkin home to beat Epinard by a head.
Kummer began to struggle making weight later in his career and rode his final races in 1928, that year's Belmont victory with Vito being his final notable win. Kummer was exercising horses for Hall of Fame trainer James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons in 1930 when he contracted pneumonia and died at the age of 31.
Achievements
North America's leading rider in earnings — 1920
Triple Crown Highlights
Won the 1920 Preakness Stakes — Man o' War
Won the 1925 Preakness Stakes — Coventry
Won the 1920 Belmont Stakes — Man o' War
Won the 1928 Belmont Stakes — Vito
Other Highlights
Won the Jockey Club Stakes — 1919, 1920
Won the Suburban Handicap — 1921, 1927
Won the Travers Stakes — 1925
Born in Summit, New Jersey, Carroll Bassett graduated from the Westminster School in Connecticut and briefly attended Williams College in Massachusetts before getting involved in racing as an amateur rider.
1972
Biography
Born in Summit, New Jersey, Carroll Bassett graduated from the Westminster School in Connecticut and briefly attended Williams College in Massachusetts before getting involved in racing as an amateur rider.
In addition to his interests in steeplechasing, polo, and fox hunting, Bassett from a young age displayed a talent for art, studying for a time in New York at the Art Students League. He specialized in sculpting bronze statues of horses, prompting noted equine sculptor Herbert Haseltine to praise his work.
Bassett rode his first winner in 1929, also trained a number of his mounts, and owned a few as well — in the early 1930s, he campaigned horses in partnership with J. Spencer Weed under the name Ram’s Head Stable. Bassett reached the peak of his riding career in the mid-1930s, when he ranked among the leading steeplechase riders in the nation. Bassett trained and rode many of the jumpers for Montpelier Stable owner Marion duPont Scott.
At Camden, South Carolina, he often rode at Springdale Race Course, where he supervised the early schooling of duPont Scott’s Hall of Fame steeplechaser Battleship. In 1934, Bassett won on 11 of his 18 mounts, including victories aboard Battleship in the American Grand National and National Steeplechase Hunt Cup, which he also won with Battleship in 1933. Bassett also won stakes aboard Annapolis, Night Retired, Passive, and Peacock.
Achievements
Won the National Steeplechase Hunt Cup — 1933, 1934
Won the American Grand National — 1934
Baltimore native Sam Boulmetis made his debut in the saddle at Tropical Park in 1948 and rode his first winner, Stepinthedark, the following year at Garden State.
1973
Biography
Baltimore native Sam Boulmetis made his debut in the saddle at Tropical Park in 1948 and rode his first winner, Stepinthedark, the following year at Garden State.
During a career in which he won 2,783 races, Boulmetis said his best mount was multiple champion and Hall of Fame member Tosmah. His victories with Tosmah included the Astarita, Frizette, Miss Woodford, Matron, Maskette, and Beldame against her own gender, and the Arlington Classic and John B. Campbell against males.
Boulmetis won the Washington, D.C., International on Mahan, the United Nations Handicap on champion Career Boy, the Widener on Oligarchy, the Suburban on Helioscope, and the Flamingo twice with Charlie McAdam and Bally Ache. He won the Oceanport Stakes four times, the Monmouth Handicap three times, and earned four leading rider titles at Monmouth.
Other standouts ridden by Boulmetis included Don Poggio, Vertex, Blue Sparkler, Errand King, Palestinian, and Dedicate.
When he retired in 1966, Boulmetis had earnings of $15,425,953, which ranked him in the top 10 up to that time. Boulmetis later became a racing official and served many years as the state steward for New Jersey.
Achievements
Leading rider at Monmouth Park — 1949, 1953, 1955 1956
Other Highlights
Won the Oceanport Stakes — 1951, 1955, 1955, 1962
Won the Monmouth Handicap — 1951, 1955, 1961
West Virginia native Robert “Specs” Crawford was a top steeplechase jockey during the 1920s. Known as “Specs” because of his freckles, Crawford began his career at Fort Erie and had success in Canada and Maryland before going to New York.
1973
Biography
West Virginia native Robert “Specs” Crawford was a top steeplechase jockey during the 1920s. Known as “Specs” because of his freckles, Crawford began his career at Fort Erie and had success in Canada and Maryland before going to New York.
Crawford quickly rose to prominence on the New York courses, winning three major stakes aboard The Brook, the leading steeplechase earner of 1918.
Crawford was North America’s leading steeplechase rider in wins in 1919, 1920, 1922, and 1926, winning with 40 percent or more of his mounts in three of those years. Crawford won several major stakes, including the American Grand National with Greentree Stable’s Hall of Famer Jolly Roger in 1927 and 1928. Crawford also won the Grand National on Lytle in 1922 and aboard Erne II in 1926.
Overall, Crawford won 139 races, including three editions of both the Beverwyck and Corinthian. His stakes-winning mounts included Guingamp, Caribinier, Elmer Johnson, Minata, Hibler, Barklie, Not Much, Rabel, Sea Master, Flyman, and Warlock.
After increasing weight forced his retirement as a rider, Crawford turned to training. He saddled eight stakes winners.
Achievements
North America's leading steeplechase riders in wins — 1919, 1920, 1922, 1926
Other Highlights
Won the American Grand National — 1922, 1926, 1927, 1928
Won the Beverwyck Steeplechase — 1918, 1919, 1928
Won the Brook Steeplechase — 1920, 1923, 1927
Won the Corinthian Steeplechase Handicap — 1919, 1927
Won the Saratoga Steeplechase — 1920, 1925
