Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.

Eddie Arcaro

Racing Hall of Fame Jockey Eddie Arcaro

Profession: Racing Hall of Fame Jockey

Nationality:
United States of America
American

Biography: Eddie Arcaro was an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey, known for winning the most American classic races of any jockey in history. He is also a Hall of Fame inductee and the only jockey to have won the U.S. Triple Crown twice.

Arcaro's parents were poor immigrants, his father a taxi driver, and Arcaro himself was born prematurely. He remained small throughout his childhood and was bullied for this at school, ultimately reaching a full-grown height of five-feet two-inches. For his distinctive nose, friends called him "Banana Nose."

All this would prove an advantage, however, in his career as a jockey. He won his first race in 1932 at 16 years old. Then in 1938 he would win his first Kentucky Derby, which he would win 5 more times. This record is a tie with Bill Hartack for the most wins.

Born: February 19, 1916
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Dragon
Star Sign: Pisces

Died: November 14, 1997 (aged 81)
Cause of Death: Liver cancer

Historical Events

  • 1932-01-14 Racing Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Arcaro wins his 1st race at Agua Caliente racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico - aged 16 years
  • 1938-05-07 64th Kentucky Derby: Eddie Arcaro aboard Lawrin scores first of record 5 Derby wins
  • 1941-05-03 67th Kentucky Derby: Eddie Arcaro aboard Whirlaway, 1st leg of successful Triple Crown
  • 1941-05-10 66th Preakness: Eddie Arcaro wins aboard Whirlaway, 2nd leg of successful Triple Crown
  • 1941-06-07 73rd Belmont: Eddie Arcaro wins aboard Whirlaway to claim first of 2 Triple Crowns
  • 1942-06-06 74th Belmont: Eddie Arcaro aboard Shut Out wins in 2:29.2
  • 1945-06-09 71st Kentucky Derby: Eddie Arcaro aboard Hoop Jr scores his third of record 5 Derby wins
  • 1945-06-23 77th Belmont Stakes: Eddie Arcaro aboard Pavot wins in 2:30.2
  • 1948-05-01 74th Kentucky Derby: Eddie Arcaro wins aboard Citation to become first 4-time Derby winning jockey
  • 1948-05-15 73rd Preakness: Eddie Arcaro wins aboard Citation, 2nd leg of successful Triple Crown
  • 1948-06-12 80th Belmont: Eddie Arcaro wins aboard Citation to claim his second Triple Crown
  • 1950-05-20 75th Preakness: Eddie Arcaro aboard Hill Prince wins in 1:59.2
  • 1951-05-19 76th Preakness: Eddie Arcaro aboard Bold wins in 1:56.4
  • 1952-05-03 78th Kentucky Derby: Eddie Arcaro aboard Hill Gail wins his record fifth Derby
  • 1952-06-07 84th Belmont: Eddie Arcaro aboard One Count wins in 2:30.2
  • 1955-05-28 80th Preakness: Eddie Arcaro aboard Nashua wins in 1:54.6
  • 1955-06-11 87th Belmont: Eddie Arcaro aboard Nashua wins in 2:29
  • 1955-11-12 Eddie Arcaro, Earl Sande and George Woolf inaugural inductees in (Horse) Racing Hall of Fame
  • 1957-05-18 82nd Preakness: Eddie Arcaro aboard Bold Ruler wins in 1:56.2
  • 1958-02-20 American future Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Arcaro rides his 4,000th winner on Riding Ban in the 8th race at Santa Anita
  • 1962-04-03 American jockey Eddie Arcaro retires after 31 years (24,092 races)
  • 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

Famous Jockeys