Racing: Shoemaker, the jockey with 8,833 winners, dies at 72

Monday 13 October 2003 00:00 BST
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The former jockey Bill Shoemaker, until recently the all-time leading rider for the number of wins, has died at the age of 72 at his home in San Marino, California.

He partnered 8,833 winners, a total that still leaves him second in the all-time list behind Laffit Pincay's total of 9,530.

The 4ft 11in Shoemaker won the Kentucky Derby four times, and was the oldest winner of the race when he rode Ferdinand to victory in 1986 at the age of 54. He also won on Swaps, Tomy Lee and Lucky Debonair.

Shoemaker also won the Belmont Stakes five times, the Preakness Stakes twice, the Jockey Club Gold Cup four times, the Santa Anita Derby eight times, the Hollywood Gold Cup eight times, and the Santa Anita Handicap 11 times.

He retired in 1990 and was involved in a car accident the following year that left him paralysed.

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