Stewart Elliott
Encyclopedia
Stewart Elliott is an American
thoroughbred
jockey
.
Elliott grew up in horse racing; his father was a jockey for many years, his mother rode show horses and was a riding instructor, and his uncle owns a racing stable in Canada. At age seven, his family moved to race in Hong Kong
where they remained for six years before going to the United States.http://www.woodbineentertainment.com/queensplate/Contender.aspx?id=23 Stewart began riding professionally at age 16, mainly at Philadelphia Park Racetrack
, a small racetrack in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. A steady, hard worker, he has been the racetrack's most successful jockey for a number of years and for the past three seasons has been named Pennsylvania's top rider. On May 13, 2003 he reached a prestigious milestone, riding his 3,000th career winner. On January 18, 2009 he won the 4,000th race of his career at Philadelphia Park.
In 2004 was Stewart's big break when on May 1, 2004, Elliott became the first jockey in twenty-five years to win the Kentucky Derby
in his first appearance in the race. His horse, Smarty Jones
, became the first unbeaten Derby winner since Seattle Slew
in 1977. To add to his victory was Elliott's 10% share of the almost $6 million in purse and bonuses that represented the largest payday for any jockey and horse in racing history. Two weeks later, Elliott rode Smarty Jones to a record-breaking win in the second leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
, the Preakness Stakes
. In the Belmont Stakes
, the third leg, Elliott took Smarty Jones
out early in the backstretch. Smarty Jones
made a valiant effort, but Birdstone
passed him in the end.
During his breakthrough year in 2004, he won 262 races out of 1,363 mounts with earnings of $14,533,061.
In 2005, he won 143 races out of 860 mounts with earnings of $5,393,661.
On January 11, 2008, Stewart Elliott rode four winners on one racecard at Aqueduct Racetrack
.
On June 1, 2010, Woodbine Entertainement announced that Stewart Elliott had been voted the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award
for his contribution to the sport of Thoroughbred racing.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
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:...
.
Elliott grew up in horse racing; his father was a jockey for many years, his mother rode show horses and was a riding instructor, and his uncle owns a racing stable in Canada. At age seven, his family moved to race in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
where they remained for six years before going to the United States.http://www.woodbineentertainment.com/queensplate/Contender.aspx?id=23 Stewart began riding professionally at age 16, mainly at Philadelphia Park Racetrack
Philadelphia Park Racetrack
Parx Racing and Casino is a thoroughbred horse racetrack and racino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. It currently houses 3,300 slot machines.-History:...
, a small racetrack in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. A steady, hard worker, he has been the racetrack's most successful jockey for a number of years and for the past three seasons has been named Pennsylvania's top rider. On May 13, 2003 he reached a prestigious milestone, riding his 3,000th career winner. On January 18, 2009 he won the 4,000th race of his career at Philadelphia Park.
In 2004 was Stewart's big break when on May 1, 2004, Elliott became the first jockey in twenty-five years to win the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
in his first appearance in the race. His horse, Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones is a thoroughbred race horse, and winner of the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He finished second in the Belmont Stakes that took place on June 5th, 2004....
, became the first unbeaten Derby winner since Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew was an American Thoroughbred race horse who won the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in 1977, the tenth of eleven horses to accomplish the feat. He remains the only horse to win the Triple Crown while undefeated. In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S...
in 1977. To add to his victory was Elliott's 10% share of the almost $6 million in purse and bonuses that represented the largest payday for any jockey and horse in racing history. Two weeks later, Elliott rode Smarty Jones to a record-breaking win in the second leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
, the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
. In the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
, the third leg, Elliott took Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones is a thoroughbred race horse, and winner of the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He finished second in the Belmont Stakes that took place on June 5th, 2004....
out early in the backstretch. Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones is a thoroughbred race horse, and winner of the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He finished second in the Belmont Stakes that took place on June 5th, 2004....
made a valiant effort, but Birdstone
Birdstone
Birdstone is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2004 Belmont Stakes and is gaining notoriety as a fantastic sire....
passed him in the end.
During his breakthrough year in 2004, he won 262 races out of 1,363 mounts with earnings of $14,533,061.
In 2005, he won 143 races out of 860 mounts with earnings of $5,393,661.
On January 11, 2008, Stewart Elliott rode four winners on one racecard at Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
.
On June 1, 2010, Woodbine Entertainement announced that Stewart Elliott had been voted the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award
Avelino Gomez Memorial Award
The Avelino Gomez Memorial Award is a Canadian thoroughbred horse racing honor given annually to a jockey who is Canadian-born, Canadian-raised, or a regular in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to the sport...
for his contribution to the sport of Thoroughbred racing.
Year-end charts
| Chart (2002–present) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2002 | 70 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2003 | 66 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2004 | 5 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2005 | 35 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2006 | 52 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2007 | 38 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2008 | 29 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2009 | 50 |