Meet Mike SmithThe Icon
Mike Smith The Icon
Meet the JockeysMike's Stats Mike Smith is one of the top winning jockeys of all time, boasting wins at both the Preakness and the Kentucky Derby. With his strong riding style and stringent pre-race rituals, Smith has earned an almost shaman-like reputation among fellow jockeys, cementing his icon status in the racing world. Smith began riding races in his home state of New Mexico at age 11, getting his riding license at 16 and winning his first race that year with Forever Man in Santa Fe. A year later, he left New Mexico to pursue his career as a jockey, riding in Arkansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Kentucky and Minnesota before landing in New York in 1989. While in New York, Smith began making his mark in horse racing. In 1991, he became the first US-based jockey to win a European classic, winning the Irish Two Thousand Guineas with Fourstars Allstar. In 1993, Smith won the Preakness Stakes, and in 1993 and 1994, he was awarded the Eclipse Award, which recognizes outstanding jockeys. In both years, he was the national leader for earnings. In 1994, Smith held the record for stakes wins with 68. After two serious injuries in 1998, Smith quickly rebounded and continued racing, moving to Southern California in 2000. He has enjoyed tremendous success this decade with a win at the Kentucky Derby in 2005 aboard Giacomo. He now is tied for second with the most Breeders' Cup victories with 12 and has received numerous awards including the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 2000 and Jockey of the Year in 2003. Smith was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2003. In his spare time, Smith owns a private wine label — Jinettes — which will be out in 2009. |
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