George Woolf
George Monroe "The Ice Man" Woolf (born May 31, 1910 in Cardston , Alberta , † January 4, 1946 in Arcadia (California) ) was a Canadian racing rider .
Beginnings
His mother worked as an equestrian in a circus, his father rode at rodeos . Therefore, he grew up with horses and began racing and rodeo tournaments in Alberta and Montana as a teenager . In 1928 he worked professionally as a racing rider in Vancouver for the first time. He then went to the Hipódromo de Agua Caliente in Tijuana , Mexico , before settling in Arcadia (California) .
The nickname "The Ice Man" was given to him because of his patience before big races, before which he often took a nap.
Career
During his rise to become one of America's finest jockeys , he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes . Since he had a constant weight and thus never had to go on a rapid diet, he was able to continue his career.
He made history in 1935 when he won the first $ 100,000 horse race, the Santa Anita Handicap , on Azucar . He finished second in the Kentucky Derby twice and won the 1936 Preakness Stakes .
Due to an accident of his friend Red Pollard , he became his successor in the saddle of the stallion Seabiscuit . With the horse he won the race against the US Triple Crown Champion War Admiral in 1938 , which helped him to worldwide fame.
On January 3, 1946, during the fourth race at Santa Anita Park , he fell from his horse due to a loss of consciousness due to diabetes. He suffered a severe concussion and was taken to the hospital, where he died the following day. George Woolf was buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California .
engagement
Woolf campaigned successfully for a union-like organization and insurance of professional jockeys, who at that time were penniless and without care in the event of failure or disability due to riding accidents.
Trivia
Woolf coined the later winged word "So long, Charlie" when Seabiscuit left his competitor behind at the entrance to the home straight.
Honors
Shortly after his death, the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award was established in his honor . In addition, a bronze statue of him was erected in Santa Anita Park .
In 1955 he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and in 1956 into the Hall of Fame of Canadian Sports .
On the occasion of his 100th birthday, a life-size equestrian statue was created for his hometown of Cardston. The bronze statue shows Woolf on Seabiscuit in his 1938 victory over War Admiral.
Mention in films
In the movie The Black Stallion , he is mentioned as one of the greatest jockeys of all time.
In the film Seabiscuit , he is portrayed by jockey Gary L. Stevens , who won the 1996 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award .
Individual evidence
- ↑ according to representation in Seabiscuit (book)
- ↑ Source: Seabiscuit (book)
- ↑ Source: Seabiscuit (book)
Web links
- National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame
- Hall of Fame, Jockey - George M. Woolf
- Canada's Sports Hall of Fame - George Woolf
- Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame - George Woolf
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Woolf, George |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | George Monroe Woolf (full name); The Ice Man (nickname) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Canadian jockey |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 31, 1910 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Cardston |
| DATE OF DEATH | January 4, 1946 |
| Place of death | Arcadia (California) |