Eddie Arcaro

American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey who won more American classic races than any other jockey in history and is the only rider to have won the U.S. Triple Crown twice. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest jockeys in the history of American Thoroughbred horse racing. His incredible skill on the track with horses has been legendary.

He left school after the ninth grade and took a job as a stable hand in 1929, riding his first race in 1931. His first win was on 14 January 1932. From 1940-1950, he led the field ten times. From 1950-1955, the 5' 3" and 112 lbs jockey led every year. He was continually suspended, as he pushed to lead with his fighting spirit.

Arcaro, Johnny Longdon and Sir Gordon Richards are the only three jockeys to ever ride over 4,000 winners; Arcaro entered the winner's circle precisely 4,779 times in 24,092 tries. He won stakes worth well over $23,000,000 during his career.

In 1961, Arcaro retired from 30 years of racing to become a sports announcer. Arcaro was the only son of Italian immigrants. He was married to his first wife, Ruth, for more than 50 years; she died in 1988. They had two kids.

His winnings, combined with shrewd investments in the stock market and oil speculation, made him a multi-millionaire. He also held a share in the saddle business. When Arcaro was not attending most of the major races around the country, he fit in some time for golf. He authored "I Ride To Win."

He was living with his second wife, Vera, in Miami Beach, FL when he was diagnosed with cancer. Arcaro died at home of liver cancer, on 14 November 1997, age 81.