Don Pierce, a legend of the track and a Hall of Fame jockey, passed away this week at 89. This isn’t just another news item, folks. We’re talking about a rider who piled up an incredible 3,546 wins over a three-decade career, a guy whose name belongs right up there with the all-time greats. The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame confirmed the news on Thursday, following posts from his brother, Larry.
Dominance in the Golden State and Beyond
Pierce kicked off his career with a win right out of the gate, taking his first mount at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico back in 1954. From there, he absolutely owned the Southern California circuit. Seriously, he dominated. He nabbed the Santa Anita Handicap, the state’s biggest race for older horses, a staggering four times. Then there’s the Los Angeles Handicap, which he won five times from 1969-1973. He also stacked up five Santa Anita Oaks victories, four Del Mar Debutantes, four Hollywood Oaks, three Del Mar Derbies, and two Santa Anita Derbies. The man was a machine, leading all North American jockeys with 32 stakes wins in 1973 alone. He wasn’t just a California king though, he even picked up a riding title at Belmont Park and crushed it at Saratoga with wins in prestigious races like the Hopeful and Jim Dandy.
The “Money Rider” Who Battled a Legend
Pierce earned a rep as one of the best money riders in the game, and you know why? Because he just kept winning stakes! He said it himself: “I don’t know where that came from. Probably because I just kept winning stakes. I won 351 stakes and that’s when they only had one a week. Plus I had to buck ‘Shoe,’ who was always on the best horse.” That “Shoe” he’s talking about? That’s his friend and fellow legend, Bill Shoemaker. Pierce would often battle Shoemaker for victories, and he had the perfect quote to sum it up: “If Shoe didn’t win, I did. That went on for a long time. I was really lucky in those races. I was always in the right place at the right time. I rode a lot of horses Shoe couldn’t ride because he had so many chances.” He rode for iconic trainers like William Molter, Charlie Whittingham, and Robert Wheeler, guiding incredible horses such as Ack Ack, Flying Paster, and Princessnessian, with whom he famously beat male horses in the 1968 Hollywood Gold Cup to cap off a five-win day. Pierce’s career also included a George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 1967, an honor that speaks volumes about his character and impact on the sport. He rode in the Kentucky Derby five times, with a best finish of fourth aboard Super Moment in 1980, and snagged a fourth in the 1979 Preakness with Flying Paster. He retired with career purse earnings totaling over $39 million.
From Ranch to Racetrack
Born in Clebit, Oklahoma, in 1937, Pierce’s path to the track wasn’t exactly paved. He moved to Oregon with his family, where he worked on a cattle and sheep ranch. It was there he met a guy who looked at his size and horse experience and told him he should be a jockey. The advice was clear: head to Hollywood Park in Southern California. Pierce, ever the determined type, told his mom he’d hitchhike, but she wouldn’t have it and gave him bus money. His response? “Well, I took the money and hitchhiked anyway.” Classic. When he got to Hollywood Park, the meet was done, so he went south to Del Mar. That’s where trainer Jack Howard taught him the ropes. By 17, Pierce had a contract to ride. His election to the National Racing Hall of Fame in 2010 was just the official stamp on what everyone already knew: Don Pierce was a true giant of horse racing. His legacy of guts, grit, and an unbelievable number of wins will echo through the sport for generations.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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