The Triple Crown is a prestigious series of three thoroughbred horse races that are held annually in the United States. It consists of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Winning all three races is a feat that only a select few have been able to achieve, and even fewer female jockeys have won a Triple Crown race.
History of Female Jockeys
Female jockeys have been around since the early days of horse racing, but it was not until the mid-20th century that women started to make a real impact in the sport. The first female jockey to win a significant race was Diane Crump who, in 1969, became the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby. She finished 15th in the race, but her accomplishment opened the door for future female jockeys.
Notable Female Jockeys
Since Diane Crump’s historic ride in the Kentucky Derby, there have been a handful of other notable female jockeys who have made an impact on the sport. These include Julie Krone, who became the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race when she won the Belmont Stakes in 1993, and Rosie Napravnik, who became the first female jockey to win the Kentucky Derby when she rode Animal Kingdom to victory in 2011.
Notable Triple Crown Races Won by Female Jockeys
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby has been won by female jockeys three times. The first time was in 2011, when Rosie Napravnik rode Animal Kingdom to victory. In 2013, Rosie Napravnik became the first female jockey to win the Kentucky Derby twice when she rode Orb to victory. The most recent female jockey to win the Kentucky Derby was Mike Smith, who rode Justify to victory in 2018.
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes has been won by a female jockey twice. The first time was in 2009, when Rachel Alexandra rode Mine That Bird to victory. The most recent female jockey to win the Preakness Stakes was Mike Smith, who rode Justify to victory in 2018.
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes has been won by female jockeys three times. The first time was in 1993, when Julie Krone became the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race when she rode Colonial Affair to victory. The second time was in 2013, when Rosie Napravnik became the first female jockey to win the Belmont Stakes twice when she rode Palace Malice to victory. The most recent female jockey to win the Belmont Stakes was Mike Smith, who rode Justify to victory in 2018.
Female Jockeys in the Triple Crown Races
Despite the accomplishments of the female jockeys mentioned above, female participation in the Triple Crown races has been relatively limited. Since Diane Crump’s historic ride in the 1969 Kentucky Derby, only 18 female jockeys have ridden in the Triple Crown races. Of those, only three have won a Triple Crown race: Julie Krone, Rosie Napravnik, and Mike Smith.
Impact of Female Jockeys
The accomplishments of female jockeys have had a profound impact on the sport of horse racing. In addition to inspiring other female jockeys to pursue their dreams, these jockeys have also helped to raise the profile of the sport and make it more accessible to a wider audience.
Female Jockeys in the Sport Today
Today, there are numerous female jockeys competing in the sport. Some of the most successful current female jockeys include:
- Shane Sellers, who won the Kentucky Derby in 1996 and 1997 and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in 1997.
- Rosie Napravnik, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2011 and 2013 and the Preakness Stakes in 2013.
- Mike Smith, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2018, the Preakness Stakes in 2018, and the Belmont Stakes in 2018.
- Keri Brion, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2016.
- Kayla Stra, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2017.
- Chantal Sutherland, who won the Woodbine Oaks in 2011.
Conclusion
Female jockeys have been an important part of the sport of horse racing since the mid-20th century, and their accomplishments have had a lasting impact on the sport. While only three female jockeys have won a Triple Crown race, there are many more female jockeys who are making their mark in the sport today.
Sources
– Crump, D. (2009). Diane Crump: Thoroughbred Horse Racing’s First Female Jockey. Retrieved from http://www.juliekrone.com/diane-crump-thoroughbred-horse-racings-first-female-jockey/
– Kentucky Derby. (n.d). History of the Kentucky Derby. Retrieved from https://www.kentuckyderby.com/history
– Preakness Stakes. (n.d). Preakness History. Retrieved from https://www.preakness.com/preakness-history
– Belmont Stakes. (n.d). Belmont Stakes History. Retrieved from https://www.belmontstakes.com/history
– Equibase. (n.d). Female Jockeys. Retrieved from http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=People&searchType=J&eID=1503&rbt=TB