Don Howard
Encyclopedia
Donald L. Howard is a retired American jockey
in Thoroughbred horse racing. He is the son of to John and Sandra Howard. Unlike many jockey
s, Don did not grow up around the race track. After his father, a veterinarian, purchased a horse trailer from a trainer in Juarez, Mexico, Don was given the opportunity to work as an exercise rider as a summer job. He continued as an exercise rider until he signed a contract with the trainer and began his horse racing career when he was 16 years old. He was the leading rider at Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico
as a senior in high school.
Don has raced throughout the United States and spent significant time at Oaklawn Park
in Hot Springs, Arkansas
where in 1991 he rode five winners on a single racecard. He also competed at Louisiana Downs (Shreveport, Louisiana
) as well as in Chicago, New York and Kentucky. Howard was the leading rider at Louisiana Downs for several consecutive years in the late 1980s.
As is the case with most jockeys, Don Howard experienced several serious injuries. In 1993, he suffered a nearly fatal accident while racing at Louisiana Downs. In the final stretch riding Police Cat, the horse broke its leg resulting in the horse falling into a somersault. Don was able to untangle himself from his horse only to be trampled by an apprentice's horse that was several lengths behind. Don was unconscious for nearly an hour and initially was not expected to survive. He suffered his fourth severe concussion in six months and had a compound fracture of his right humerus, the same arm that was nearly amputed when he was 14 due to a hay equipment accident.
In 1994, Don Howard attempted to return to horse racing, only to discover that the fractured humerus
had not healed. The non-union fracture required several additional surgeries.
In 1997, Howard returned to horse racing in New Mexico and then back to Oaklawn Park. His circuit eventually included Prairie Meadows
in Des Moines, Iowa
. Don Howard was very successful at Prairie Meadows and was consistently in the top 3 jockeys in the number of wins as well as earnings.
He never officially retired, but has not raced since 2002.
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
in Thoroughbred horse racing. He is the son of to John and Sandra Howard. Unlike many jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
s, Don did not grow up around the race track. After his father, a veterinarian, purchased a horse trailer from a trainer in Juarez, Mexico, Don was given the opportunity to work as an exercise rider as a summer job. He continued as an exercise rider until he signed a contract with the trainer and began his horse racing career when he was 16 years old. He was the leading rider at Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico
Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico
Ruidoso Downs is a city in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States, located within the Lincoln National Forest. The population was 1,824 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a village; the change was made in May 2002...
as a senior in high school.
Don has raced throughout the United States and spent significant time at Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park is an American thoroughbred racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is the home to The Racing Festival of the South.In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Of the top Ten, Oaklawn was ranked...
in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
where in 1991 he rode five winners on a single racecard. He also competed at Louisiana Downs (Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
) as well as in Chicago, New York and Kentucky. Howard was the leading rider at Louisiana Downs for several consecutive years in the late 1980s.
As is the case with most jockeys, Don Howard experienced several serious injuries. In 1993, he suffered a nearly fatal accident while racing at Louisiana Downs. In the final stretch riding Police Cat, the horse broke its leg resulting in the horse falling into a somersault. Don was able to untangle himself from his horse only to be trampled by an apprentice's horse that was several lengths behind. Don was unconscious for nearly an hour and initially was not expected to survive. He suffered his fourth severe concussion in six months and had a compound fracture of his right humerus, the same arm that was nearly amputed when he was 14 due to a hay equipment accident.
In 1994, Don Howard attempted to return to horse racing, only to discover that the fractured humerus
Humerus
The humerus is a long bone in the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the elbow....
had not healed. The non-union fracture required several additional surgeries.
In 1997, Howard returned to horse racing in New Mexico and then back to Oaklawn Park. His circuit eventually included Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows is a Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racetrack and racino in Altoona, Iowa.-History and information:In 1984, Prairie Meadows received a license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming commission to operate a horse racing facility after parimutuel betting was legalized by the state the...
in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
. Don Howard was very successful at Prairie Meadows and was consistently in the top 3 jockeys in the number of wins as well as earnings.
He never officially retired, but has not raced since 2002.
Horse Racing Milestones
- 1989 Kentucky Derby on Irish Actor
- Super Derby X
- Super Derby XII
- One of the Top Ten Jockeys in the entire United States
- Won 5 races during the Arkansas Derby Day