The great jockey Willie “The Shoe” Shoemaker was born on this day in 1931. When he was born his was so small he was not expected to survive the night. He weighed 2.5 pounds at birth. He would eventually become 4 foot 11 and weigh 105 pounds which was perfect for what he chose to do, race thoroughbred horses.

At one time Willie Shoemaker won more races than any jockey in history. He held that record for 29 years. By the end of his career he rode 8833 winners. He has the record for riding in the most races with an incredible 40,350.He rode winners in countless major races. He rode 11 Triple Crown winners but never rode a Triple Crown winner. He said the best horse he ever rode was Spectacular Bid.

Shortly after retiring as a jockey he was involved in a drunk driving accident which left him paralyzed from the neck down. He would have a career as a trainer, retiring in 1997. Willie Shoemaker died at the age of 72 in 2003.