By Paulius Narkev ——Bio and Archives--March 31, 2025
Horse racing is one of the most popular sports across the globe, with millions tuning in to watch the major events on the schedule.
Despite being staged in the United States, the Kentucky Derby ranks as one of the most-watched sporting events within the nation, and there has even been notable Canadian success in the opening leg of the Triple Crown race throughout history.
There has been no shortage of success stories for Canada in horse racing, with a number of jockeys leaving lasting memories for those that adore the sport. You can find more information about horse racing here.
But, which riders rank among the legendary Canadian figures in the world of horse racing?
Larry Attard is one of the most celebrated Canadian figures in horse racing history, despite having been born in Malta. Attard moved to Canada when he was a child, and he quickly got involved in horses.
He was an aspiring rider from a young age, and despite a vast number of injuries, he enjoyed a stellar 25-year career. On track, he would achieve huge success, including being named as the leading rider at Woodbine on three occasions. He was also twice voted for the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Jockey.
His notable win was achieved in the Queen’s Plate in 1983, and he would also land the Prince of Wales Stakes on two occasions in 1992 and 1995. Following his retirement, he was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2001.
There are few more important figures in the world of horse racing than Red Pollard. The Canadian was a founding member of the Jockeys’ Guild in 1940, and he was best known for riding the legendary Seabiscuit.
Pollard’s successes aboard the much-loved horse ensures that he remains a prominent figure in the sport to this day, with some of the lasting pictures of the horse’s successes remaining as important as ever. As part of the partnership, Pollard won the Brooklyn Handicap and Massachusetts Handicap in 1937, as well as the Santa Anita Handicap in 1940.
His presence in the sport can still be seen in one of horse racing’s best films, as Tobey Maguire portrays Pollard in the 2003 film ‘Seabiscuit’. In 1982, the jockey was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
There are potentially few more famous Canadian jockeys in the world than Rob Turcotte. His love for the sport began in 1960 after riding out at E. P. Taylor’s yard, before he began riding soon after.
His first notable ride came aboard Northern Dancer, before he stormed to success in the 1965 Preakness Stakes aboard Tom Rolfe. However, the vast majority of his lasting memories in the sport would be achieved in the Kentucky Derby. The first of those arrived in 1972 when he rode Riva Ridge to victories in the Derby and later, Belmont Stakes.
His international breakthrough would come during the 1973 season, as he landed victories in all three Triple Crown races aboard Secretariat. In doing so, he came the first jockey in 25 years to win the Triple Crown. His quality also saw him become the first jockey since 1902 to ride back-to-back winners in the race, and also the first to win five of six Triple Crown races.
Despite being born in America, Charlie Fenwick had close ties to Canada due to his family. In 1980, he made racing history, winning the world-famous Grand National aboard Ben Nevis.
His success was celebrated across the globe, as it was one of the few times that the British race at Aintree had been won by a foreign jockey. Fenwick’s success also made further history, as he remains one of few amateur jockeys to have won the world’s most famous jumps race.
It was a shock to all those in attendance, but the partnership between the rider and Ben Nevis were no strangers to the winners enclosure after winning the Maryland Hunt Cup in successive seasons.
There are few more successful jockeys in recent horse racing memory than Sandy Hawley. The Canadian Hall of Fame rider was born in Ontario, and decided to become a professional jockey when he was just 17.
A first success on track was achieved just two years later, and he would make history as an apprentice after leading the riders’ standings in Canada. In that year, Hawley rode 230 winners, and his success would continue in the United States when leading the riders in terms of race wins in 1970, 1972, 1973, and 1976.
He would make history in 1973 after hitting 500 winners in a single year, breaking the long-standing record held by Bill Shoemaker. Overall, he retired with a staggering $88.6 million won in prize money, and victories in the Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes, and Breeders’ Stakes.
Paulius Narkev writes about new technology and society
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