Career Timeline of Pat Day: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Pat Day made an impact.
Pat Day is a highly accomplished retired American jockey, celebrated for his remarkable achievements in horse racing. A four-time Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Jockey, he was inducted into both the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Day secured victories in 9 Triple Crown races and 12 Breeders' Cup races, holding the record for career Breeders' Cup wins for a time. His career is marked by consistent excellence and notable success in major racing events.
July 29, 1973: First Career Win
On July 29, 1973, Pat Day rode his first winner, Forblunged, at Prescott Downs in Arizona.
1976: First Major Victory
In 1976, Pat Day recorded his first major victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup aboard Great Contractor.
1982: Leading Jockey By Wins
In 1982, Pat Day became the leading jockey by number of wins after chartering a plane on December 31 to Delta Downs, winning two races.
1983: Leading Jockey By Wins
In 1983, Pat Day was the leading jockey by number of wins.
June 20, 1984: Churchill Downs Record
On June 20, 1984, Pat Day set a Churchill Downs record for most wins on a single card with seven wins in eight races.
1984: Leading Jockey By Wins
In 1984, Pat Day was the leading jockey by number of wins.
1984: Breeders' Cup Classic win
In 1984, Pat Day won the inaugural $3 million Breeders' Cup Classic aboard Wild Again.
1986: Leading Jockey By Wins
In 1986, Pat Day was the leading jockey by number of wins.
1989: North American Record
In 1989, Pat Day set a North American record by winning eight of nine mounts in a single day at Arlington Park.
1990: Decision to Ride Summer Squall
In 1990, Pat Day chose to ride Summer Squall in the Kentucky Derby instead of Unbridled, whom he regularly rode.
1990: Leading Jockey By Wins
In 1990, Pat Day was the leading jockey by number of wins.
1991: Leading Jockey By Wins
In 1991, Pat Day was the leading jockey by number of wins.
1991: Canadian Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup Distaff Win
In 1991, Pat Day won the Canadian Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup Distaff aboard Dance Smartly.
1992: Kentucky Derby Victory
In 1992, Pat Day secured his first and only Kentucky Derby victory aboard longshot Lil E. Tee.
1996: Preakness Victory
In 1996, Pat Day rode Louis Quatorze to victory in the Preakness.
1999: First Earnings Title
In 1999, Pat Day won his first earnings title.
2000: Second Earnings Title
In 2000, Pat Day won his second earnings title, closely beating Jerry Bailey.
2000: Belmont Stakes Win
In 2000, Pat Day won the Belmont Stakes on Commendable.
August 3, 2005: Retirement Announcement
On August 3, 2005, Pat Day announced his retirement after hip surgery and devoted himself to the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy.
2005: Retirement from Racing
In 2005, Pat Day retired from racing with 8,803 wins, ranking fourth all-time, and as the all-time leading jockey in money earned.
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