Sports Then and Now

Eddie Arcaro and Citation

The Sports Then and Now May Vintage Athlete of the Month registered the greatest accomplishment in his sport not once, but twice.

Still considered by many to be the greatest jockey in horse racing history, Eddie Arcaro was aboard the winning horse in a record 17 Triple Crown races. In 1941 he guided Whirlaway to the Triple Crown with wins in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Seven years later he duplicated the accomplishment aboard Citation.

Arcaro road his first Kentucky Derby winner aboard Lawrin in 1938 and is tied for the record with five Derby winners.  He holds the Preakness record with six victories and is tied for the most Belmont victories with six.

In addition to his two triple crown champions, other notable horses that Arcaro guided to at least one Triple Crown victory include Shut Out, Nashua, Bold Ruler and Hoop Junior.

When he retired due to bursitis in 1962, Arcaro had registered 4,779 race victories for earnings of more than $30 million. He won the Jockey Club Gold Cup ten times and claimed the Wood Memorial Stakes on nine occasions.

Following his retirement, Arcaro was often seen on television commercials or as a broadcaster. He passed away in 1997 at the age of 81.