There are few words adequate to describe the career of Bill Shoemaker. He rode from 1949 to 1990 and is one of the best jockeys of all time. Until December of 1999 he held the record for lifetime wins, a record that was held by John Longden and is now held by Lafit Pincay, Jr. Shoemaker won with nearly 22% of his mounts.

Shoemaker was born in Texas and spent most of his career on the West Coast, but repeatedly won the most important stakes of his day all over the country. He considers his ride aboard Olden Times in the 1962 San Juan Capistrano one of his finest rides.

There are not many low points in a career like Shoemaker's, but the 1957 Kentucky Derby is one race that few will forget. Shoemaker was winning the race aboard Gallant Man when he momentarily misjudged the finish and lost to Iron Liege.

Shoemaker rode so many fine horses that he found it difficult to identify the best Thoroughbred of his career. He frequently identified three horses as his best: Swaps, early in his career, Spectacular Bid for the middle, and Ferdinand for the end of his career. Other top horses he rode include Round Table, Forego, Gallant Man, Ack Ack, John Henry, Damascus, Buckpasser, Northern Dancer, Gamely, Cicada, Sword Dancer, Hill Rise, Tom Rolfe, Cougar II, and Candy Spots.

Bill Shoemaker suffered serious injuries in 1968 and 1969 that could have ended his career, but he came back for many successful years of riding. Ironically, his most serious injury came after his retirement. In 1991 a car accident left Shoemaker paralyzed.

Bill Shoemaker has received many awards for his achievements. He was the nation's leading jockey for 15 years and has won two Eclipse Awards and the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, among others. He was inducted in the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1958.

Shoemaker retired from riding at age 58 and enjoyed modest success as a trainer. He also co-authored a few mystery novels.

Shoemaker died in his sleep at his suburban home near Santa Anita racetrack in California on October 12, 2003.

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