Chris McCarron
Encyclopedia
Christopher John "Chris" McCarron (b. March 27, 1955, Boston, Massachusetts) is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey
. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network
.
He was introduced to the sport of thoroughbred racing by his older brother, jockey Gregg McCarron. Chris McCarron began riding professionally in 1974 at East Coast
racetracks where he won the 1974 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
in the United States.
He moved to race in California
in 1977, a year he scored his first of three wins in the Kentucky Oaks
. In 1980 he won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey
as best overall jockey and that same year his peers voted him the prestigious George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award
. In 1991, he was voted the Mike Venezia Memorial Award
for "extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship".
McCarron won nine Breeders' Cup
races, including five Breeders' Cup Classic
s, and rode six winners in the U.S. Triple Crown Races.
In 1989 Chris McCarron was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
. After twenty-eight years in racing he retired in June 2002. He finished as thoroughbred racing's all-time leader in purse earnings with more than $264 million in winnings.
In 2003, McCarron served as a technical advisor, racing designer and actor in the 2003 film Seabiscuit
. That same year he was hired by Magna Entertainment Corp. to serve as Vice President and General Manager of Santa Anita Park
. After resigning his job at Santa Anita in January 2005, in July McCarron announced he would be opening the first riding academy in the United States: the North American Racing Academy
which is part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System
.
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:...
. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network
TVG Network
TVG Network is an American specialty channel dedicated to horse racing. The company broadcasts from Los Angeles, California and is available in the United States on Dish Network and DirecTV as well as select cable companies...
.
He was introduced to the sport of thoroughbred racing by his older brother, jockey Gregg McCarron. Chris McCarron began riding professionally in 1974 at East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
racetracks where he won the 1974 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
The Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey is an American thoroughbred horse racing honor. Created in 1971, it is part of the Eclipse Awards program and is awarded annually to a jockey undergoing their apprenticeship....
in the United States.
He moved to race in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1977, a year he scored his first of three wins in the Kentucky Oaks
Kentucky Oaks
The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers 1⅛ miles at Churchill Downs; the horses carry 121 pounds . The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby each year...
. In 1980 he won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey
The Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey is an American thoroughbred horse racing honor for jockeys first awarded in 1971. Part of the Eclipse Awards program, it is awarded annually....
as best overall jockey and that same year his peers voted him the prestigious George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award
George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award
The George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award has been presented by Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, annually since 1950 to the thoroughbred horse racing jockey in North America who demonstrates high standards of personal and professional conduct, on and off the racetrack.The award was created...
. In 1991, he was voted the Mike Venezia Memorial Award
Mike Venezia Memorial Award
Mike Venezia Memorial Award is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor given annually by the New York Racing Association to honor a jockeys who exemplifies extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship...
for "extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship".
McCarron won nine Breeders' Cup
Breeders' Cup
The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Thoroughbred horse races, most but not all Grade I, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days. The location...
races, including five Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
s, and rode six winners in the U.S. Triple Crown Races.
In 1989 Chris McCarron was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
. After twenty-eight years in racing he retired in June 2002. He finished as thoroughbred racing's all-time leader in purse earnings with more than $264 million in winnings.
In 2003, McCarron served as a technical advisor, racing designer and actor in the 2003 film Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit (film)
Seabiscuit is a 2003 American biographical film based on the best-selling non-fiction book Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand...
. That same year he was hired by Magna Entertainment Corp. to serve as Vice President and General Manager of Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
. After resigning his job at Santa Anita in January 2005, in July McCarron announced he would be opening the first riding academy in the United States: the North American Racing Academy
North American Racing Academy
The North American Racing Academy is an accredited college in Lexington, Kentucky. It offers the only college degree program in the United States focused on producing jockeys.-History:...
which is part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Headquartered in Versailles, Kentucky, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System comprises 16 colleges with over 68 campuses. Programs offered include associate degrees, pre-baccalaureate education to transfer to a public 4-year institution; adult education, continuing and developmental...
.