On This Day

Bill Shoemaker

Racing Hall of Fame Jockey Bill Shoemaker

Full Name: William Lee "Bill" Shoemaker
Profession: Racing Hall of Fame Jockey

Nationality:
United States of America
American

Biography: Won 8,833 career victories including winning the Kentucky Derby in 1955, 1959, 1965 and 1986.

Born: August 19, 1931
Birthplace: Fabens, Texas, USA

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep
Star Sign: Leo

Died: October 12, 2003 (aged 72)
Cause of Death: Natural causes

Historical Events

  • 1949-04-20 Jockey Bill Shoemaker wins his 1st race, in Albany, California
  • 1950-12-31 American thoroughbred jockeys Bill Shoemaker and Joe Culmone end the year tied, leading the nation with record 388 wins
  • 1953-12-31 Bill Shoemaker shatters record, riding 485 winners in a year
  • 1955-05-07 81st Kentucky Derby: Bill Shoemaker aboard Swaps wins in 2:01.8
  • 1957-06-15 89th Belmont: Bill Shoemaker aboard Gallant Man wins in 2:26.6
  • 1958-12-31 Bill Shoemaker 1st jockey to win national riding championship 4X
  • 1959-05-02 85th Kentucky Derby: Bill Shoemaker aboard Tomy Lee wins in 2:02.2
  • 1959-06-13 91st Belmont: Bill Shoemaker aboard Sword Dancer wins in 2:28.6
  • 1962-06-09 94th Belmont: Bill Shoemaker aboard Jaipur wins in 2:28.8
  • 1963-05-18 88th Preakness: Bill Shoemaker aboard Candy Spots wins in 1:56.2
  • 1965-05-01 91st Kentucky Derby: Bill Shoemaker wins aboard Lucky Debonair, the third of his 4 Derby victories
  • 1967-05-20 92nd Preakness: Bill Shoemaker aboard Damascus wins in 1:55.2
  • 1967-06-03 99th Belmont: Bill Shoemaker aboard Damascus wins in 2:28.8
  • 1970-06-07 American jockey Bill Shoemaker passes Johnny Longden with his 6,033 career win
  • 1972-03-02 American jockey Bill Shoemaker wins his record 555th stakes race aboard Royal Owl in the San Jacinto Stakes at Santa Anita; Eddie Arcaro 554
  • 1975-06-09 107th Belmont: Bill Shoemaker aboard Avatar wins in 2:28.2
  • 1976-03-14 Jockey Bill Shoemaker wins his 7,000th race
  • 1981-04-24 Bill Shoemaker wins his 8,000th race, 2000 more than any other jockey
  • 1981-08-30 Bill Shoemaker becomes the first jockey to win a $1 million thoroughbred horse race when John Henry takes the inaugural Arlington Million by a nose over The Bart
  • 1985-03-03 Bill Shoemaker becomes 1st jockey to win $100 million
  • 1986-05-03 112th Kentucky Derby: Bill Shoemaker aboard Ferdinand wins in 2:02.8
  • 1990-02-03 Jockey Bill Shoemaker (58), retires after 40,350 horse race
  • 1991-04-08 Jockey Bill Shoemaker paralyzed in a car accident
  • 1997-11-03 American racing legend Bill Shoemaker retires from thoroughbred training with a 90 winners from 713 start record; rode record 8,833 winners as a jockey, before becoming a trainer in 1990

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