Born:
1965-08-10 Roswell New Mexico, USA Currently Residing: Pasadena California USA Height: 5\'4 He is single. His father George was also a jockey. Notes: He is a leading American jockey in US Thoroughbred racing from the early 1990s. Smith began riding from the age of 11 and got his professional license at the age of 16 in 1982. He left his native state very soon after and started riding at the Midwest where he got his apprenticeship at Canterbury Downs Minnesota before moving to New York in 1989. In 1991 he became among the elite American jockeys to have won a European Classic by claiming victory at Irish 2,000 Guineas. In 1993 Smith set a North American record for stake wins in a year. |
| Year | Races Run | Wins | Place | Show | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 138 | 24 | 15 | 14 | - |
| 2010 | 545 | 81 | 60 | 88 | - |
| 2009 | 586 | 95 | 69 | 82 | - |
| Major Racing Wins: Manhattan Handicap (1990), Wood Memorial Stakes (1990, 1992, 1996), Beldame Stakes (1991), Blue Grass Stakes (1993, 1994), Coaching Club American Oaks (1993, 1997, 2000), Frizette Stakes (1993), Futurity Stakes (1993), Jamaica Handicap (1993), Turf Classic Invitational (1993, 1997), Vosburgh Stakes (1993), Whitney Handicap (1993), Florida Derby (1994, 1995, 1996), Gazelle Handicap (1994, 2000), Metropolitan Handicap (1994), Travers Stakes (1994, 1998), Woodward Stakes (1994), Spinster Stakes (1995), Personal Ensign Handicap (1997), Mother Goose Stakes (1997, 1998), Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (2002, 2003, 2008), Pacific Classic Stakes (2002), Vanity Handicap (2002, 2003, 2008, 2009), Apple Blossom Handicap (2002, 2003, 2004, 2008), Lady's Secret Stakes (2002, 2008, 2009), Hollywood Gold Cup (2004), Del Mar Oaks (2005), Hollywood Derby (2007), Santa Anita Derby (2007), Arkansas Derby (2008), Las Virgenes Stakes (2009), Santa Anita Oaks (2009), Shoemaker Mile Stakes (2009). American Classics / Breeders' Cup wins: Preakness Stakes (1993), Kentucky Derby (2005), Breeders' Cup Mile (1992, 1993), Breeders' Cup Sprint (1994), Breeders' Cup Turf (1994), Breeders' Cup Juvenile (1995, 2002), Breeders' Cup Distaff (1995, 1997, 2002, 2008), Breeders' Cup Classic (1997, 2009), Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (2008). International race wins: Irish 2,000 Guineas (1991), Queen's Plate (1997), E. P. Taylor Stakes (1999), Breeders' Stakes (2000). Racing Awards: ESPY Award for Top U.S. Jockey (1993), Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey (1993, 1994), Mike Venezia Memorial Award (1994), George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award (2000), Big Sport of Turfdom Award (2009). Honours: National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (2003). Significant Horses: Lure, Prairie Bayou, Cherokee Run, Holy Bull Thunder Gulch, Awesome Again, Skip Away, Unbridled's Song, Sky Beauty, Ajina, Coronado's Quest, Azeri, Giacomo, Stardom Bound, Zenyatta, Tiago, Mine That Bird |