Willie Shoemaker, oldest Kentucky Derby winner, was 2 1/2 pounds at birth
Jockey Mike Smith could break Willie Shoemaker's record as the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. Learn about Shoemaker's life.
New Mexico jockey Mike Smith — if he beats the early morning line odds, 15-1, and the rest of the field — will become the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, beating out Faben’s Willie Shoemaker. Shoemaker was born Aug. 19, 1931 and died of natural causes Oct.
12, 2003, in San Marino, California. Shoemaker rode in the Kentucky Derby 24 times and won four: 1955, 1959, 1965, and 1986. His last victory, atop Ferdinand at age 54, made him the oldest jockey to win the Run for the Roses.
When he retired in 1990, Shoemaker won 8,833 races, including 11 in the Triple Crown series. The following is from a Dec. 8, 1989 , El Paso Times interview with Shoemaker, who was on his Farewell Tour, by Bill Knight: From humble beginnings, Shoemaker rides to top Bill Shoemaker, monikered Willie for all those many years, was born in nearby Fabens on Aug.
19, 1931, two months premature, weighing only 2 1/2 pounds. The doctor left him on the bed, told his parents he wouldn't survive and walked away. "But then my grandmother took charge," says the 58-year-old Shoemaker.
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