THE SHOE: REFLECTIONS ON A LEGEND : SHOE’S CHRONOLOGY : Thru the Years

Bill Shoemaker was born on Aug. 19, 1931 at 3 a.m. to B.B. and Ruby Shoemaker. The future jockey weighed in at 1 pound, 13 ounces. His riding career began 18 years later. Following is a chronology of Shoemaker’s career:

1949

March 19--In his first race, rode Waxahachie to fifth-place finish for trainer George Reeves at Golden Gate Fields.

April 20--On the third mount of his career, he captured his first victory, riding a 3-year-old filly named Shafter V to a 2 1/4-length victory in a $2,000 race for $3,000 claiming horses at Golden Gate Fields.

Oct. 26--Won his first stakes race, aboard Al, in the George Marshall Claiming Handicap at Bay Meadows.

1950

Oct. 13--At Bay Meadows, won six races in a day for the first time.

Dec. 31--Won three races at Caliente while Joe Culmone was winning three at Oriental Park in Havana, leaving them tied for the national riding title with 388 victories apiece.

1951

Feb. 3--Won the Santa Anita Maturity (now the Strub Stakes) aboard Great Circle for his first victory in a $100,000 race.

1953

Won a record 485 races and rode horses that earned $1.7 million to lead the country in both categories.

1954

Feb. 27--Rode Rejected for his first of 11 victories in the Santa Anita Handicap.

Sept. 4--Won six straight races at Del Mar. Finished 41-day season with 94 victories.

Oct. 20--With Florence House at Tanforan, won his 2,000th race.

1955

May 7--Made a quick recovery from a knee injury that was supposed to sideline him for a month and won the Kentucky Derby with Swaps, his first of 11 victories in Triple Crown races.

Aug. 31--Riding Swaps, lost by 6 1/2 lengths to Nashua, with Eddie Arcaro aboard, in a $100,000 match race at Washington Park.

Oct. 29--Won first of about 250 stakes for trainer Charlie Whittingham, capturing the Kyne Handicap with Mister Gus at Bay Meadows.

1956

March 3--Won Santa Anita Derby with Terrang, his first of eight victories in the stakes race.

July 14--Rode Swaps for his first of nine victories in the Hollywood Gold Cup.

1957

May 4--Misjudged the finish line with Gallant Man in the Kentucky Derby, finishing second by a nose to Iron Liege.

June 15--With Gallant Man, won first of five Belmont Stakes.

1958

Jan. 31--Aboard Eternal Prince at Santa Anita, scored his 3,000th victory

July 22--Rode Gallant Man for his first of 13 victories in the Sunset Handicap at Hollywood Park.

August--Inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame at Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

1959

May 2--After agent Harry Silbert talked him out of riding Sword Dancer, rode Tomy Lee to victory in the Kentucky Derby.

June 13--Won the Belmont with Sword Dancer.

For the fourth time, led the country in both purses and races won.

1961

May 19--At Hollywood Park, rode Guaranteeya for his 4,000th victory.

1962

Feb. 23--Won six of his seven races at Santa Anita.

June 9--Rode Jaipur to victory by a nose over Admiral’s Voyage in the Belmont.

June 12--At Hollywood Park, became the first jockey to win 1,000 races at one track.

Aug. 19--Won another stakes race by a nose with Jaipur, beating Ridan in the Travers at Saratoga.

1963

May 18--With Candy Spots, won his first Preakness.

1964

May 2--After winning the Flamingo and Florida Derby with Northern Dancer, chose to ride Hill Rise in Kentucky Derby. Northern Dancer and Bill Hartack beat Hill Rise by a neck.

Oct. 22--Rode 5,000th winner, aboard Slapstick at Aqueduct.

With purses totaling $2.6 million, led the country for seventh straight year and 10th time overall.

1965

May 1--Won Santa Anita Derby and Kentucky Derby with Lucky Debonair.

1967

May 20--Won Preakness with Damascus.

June 3--Won Belmont with Damascus.

Oct. 28--Won Jockey Club Gold Cup at Aqueduct, his seventh $100,000 victory of the year all aboard Damascus, who was voted horse of the year.

1968

Jan. 23--Broke right thigh bone in spill at Santa Anita. Out of action for more than a year.

1969

Feb. 11--Returning from 1968 injury, won with first two mounts at Santa Anita and had three victories for the day.

April 30--Three days before he was to ride Arts and Letters in the Kentucky Derby, was crushed by a horse at Hollywood Park, suffering broken pelvis, ruptured bladder and other injuries. Out for four months.

Sept. 1--Back in action, Won Arlington-Washington Lassie with Clover Lane.

1970

June 24--At Hollywood Park, had the ninth six-win day of his career.

Aug. 8--At Del Mar, rode Shining Count for his 6,000th victory.

Sept. 7--At Del Mar, broke Johnny Longden’s record by riding Dares J. for his 6,033rd victory.

1971

March 13--Won Santa Anita Handicap with Ack Ack.

July 17--Won Hollywood Gold Cup with Ack Ack, who was voted horse of the year.

1973

June 24--Taken off Cougar II by owner Mary Jones Bradley for the Hollywood Gold Cup, he won the race anyway with Kennedy Road.

1974

March 3--Won Fantasy Stakes with Miss Musket at Oaklawn Park for his 100th victory in a $100,000 race.

1975

June 7--Won Belmont with Avatar.

Elected president of Jockeys’ Guild, a post he held for 15 years.

1976

March 14--Rode Royal Derby II at Santa Anita for his 7,000th victory.

Oct. 2--Won the Marlboro Cup at Belmont Park with Forego, who carried 137 pounds.

Given special Eclipse Award for racing achievements.

1977

July 3--Rode J.O. Tobin to upset win over Seattle Slew, undefeated Triple Crown champion, in Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park.

1978

March 7--The day after the divorce from his second wife was granted, he married the former Cindy Barnes.

Won the Sandringham Handicap at Ascot with Lorelene for first win in England.

Oct. 14--Beat two Triple Crown champions (Affirmed and Seattle Slew) with Exceller in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

1979

Sept. 8--Won the Marlboro Cup in his first ride aboard Spectacular Bid.

1980

June 22--Daughter Amanda born. (He also has three adopted children from two earlier marriages.)

Sept. 20--Won with Spectacular Bid in a walkover as no other horses ran in the Woodward Stakes at Belmont.

1981

May 27--At Hollywood Park, War Allied gave him 8000th victory.

Aug. 30--Rode John Henry to thoroughbred racing’s first seven-figure purse, the Arlington Million, beating The Bart by a nose.

Won two Eclipse Awards, as the year’s outstanding jockey and the Award of Merit.

1982

March 7--After the disqualification of Perrault, won the Santa Anita Handicap with John Henry for the second straight year.

1983

July 4--Chose to ride The Wonder instead of John Henry in the American Handicap at Hollywood Park. John Henry won the race, The Wonder finished next to last.

1984

March 18--Won the Santa Anita Handicap with Avigaition for 200th victory in a $100,000 race.

1985

March 3--Became first jockey to reach $100-million mark in purses when Lord at War won the Santa Anita Handicap.

1986

May 3--At 54, became oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, aboard Ferdinand.

Dec. 14--Won the Hollywood Futurity with Temperate Sil.

1987

Feb. 3--Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Feb. 16--In first race back, won the San Luis Obispo Handicap at Santa Anita with Louis le Grand.

April 4--Won four races, including the Santa Anita Derby with Temperate Sil.

Aug. 29--Won Cabrillo Handicap at Del Mar with Ferdinand, giving trainer Charlie Whittingham his 500th stakes victory.

Nov. 21--Rode Ferdinand to victory by a nose over Alysheba in the $3- million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Hollywood Park.

Set personal record by riding horses that earned $7.1 million.

1988

Oct. 26--Made retirement announcement.

Nov. 19--Won 250th race worth $100,000 or more by riding Nastique to victory in the Silver Belles Handicap at Hollywood Park.

1989

April 30--Riding Peace, won John Henry Handicap at Hollywood Park for 1,000th stakes victory.

1990

Jan. 20--Rode Beau Genius in Hallandale Handicap at Gulfstream Park for 1,009th stakes victory and 8,833rd win overall.

Thru the Years

1949

Won first race (third career start) at Golden Gate Fields.

Won first stakes race, in George Marshall Claiming Handicap at Bay Meadows.

1950

Won six races in a day for first time.

1951

Won Santa Anita Maturity for first victory in a $100,000 race.

1954

Won 2,000th race.

1955

Won first Kentucky Derby, aboard Swaps.

1957

Misjudged finish line with Gallant Man in Kentucky Derby and finished second by a nose to Iron Liege.

Won first Belmont Stakes, aboard Gallant Man.

1958

Won 3,000th race.

Inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame.

1961

Won 4,000th race.

1962

Became first jockey to win 1,000 races at one track--Hollywood Park.

1963

Won first Preakness, aboard Candy Spots.

1964

Won 5,000th race.

1970

Won 6,000th race.

Won 6,033rd race to break Johnny Longden’s record.

1974

Won Fantasy Stakes for 100th victory in a $100,000 race.

1976

Won 7,000th race

Given special Eclipse Award for racing achievements.

1981

Won 8,000th race.

1984

Won Santa Anita Handicap for 200th victory in a $100,000 race.

1985

Became first jockey to reach $100-million mark in purses when Lord at War won the Santa Anita Handicap.

1986

At 54, became oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, aboard Ferdinand.

1988

Announced his plan to retire, on Oct. 26.

Won 250th race worth $100,000 or more by riding Nastique to victory in the Silver Belles Handicap at Hollywood Park.

1989

Won John Henry Handicap, aboard Peace, at Hollywood Park for 1,000th stakes victory.