Julie Krone

Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Julie Krone rode her first horse when she was just two years old. At five years old, she won her first ribbon at a horse show-in an 18-and-under event. Sleeping with her whip, dreaming of racing, riding before school-this was the life of a little girl whose only dream was to be a jockey. Forging her birth certificate to gain access to the track at Churchill Downs as an exercise rider, and talking her way into mounts, it was not long until Julie was racing-and winning. From the start, sexism against Julie was fierce. Male riders colluded against her, closing gaps and boxing her horse in by the rail. Though kind and patient with her horses, Krone competed ferociously against her fellow male jockeys. When Yves Truscott knocked into her horse during a race in 1982, she shoved him off the scales during the post-race weigh in. She punched Miguel Rujano in 1986 after his whip hit her ear during a race, before belting him with a chair. In 1989, she was fined for brawling with Joe Bravo-and knocking out several of his teeth. By age 25, Julie was the first woman ever to win a riding title at a major track, the first woman ever to win five races in one day at a New York track, and one of three jockeys ever to win six races on one card. She had won 1,200 races, and $20 million in purses. In 1993, she became the first female winner of a Triple Crown race, riding 14-to-1 long-shot Colonial Affair to victory in the Belmont Stakes-"showing the patience, intelligence and tactical savvy that have made her one of the nation's leading performers," wrote William Nack of Sports Illustrated. Shortly after, while racing in Saratoga Springs, Julie was thrown from her horse and kicked in the chest by another, bruising her heart and shattering her ankle. Months of recuperation lay ahead of her. But she refused to quit. In the Del Mar meeting of 2003, Julie rode 49 winners, including the $1 million Pacific Classic. In October 2003, she became the first female jockey to win a prestigious Breeders' Cup race. Despite her retirement in 2004, Julie recently participated in Del Mar's "Living Legends Race," and will ride again this September at the UK's renowned St. Leger Festival, in a high-profile race for ex-flat jockeys. In 2000, Julie Krone became the first female to be inducted into racing's Hall of Fame.