David K. Clark
Encyclopedia
David K. Clark is a Champion jockey
in Canadian
Thoroughbred
horse racing
. He began riding professionally at Ontario
racetracks in 1973 and went on to become one of Canada's most successful jockeys of all-time.
Clark won the 1998 Sovereign Award
as Canadian Champion Jockey
and on July 17 of that year he tied a record set by Sandy Hawley
in 1974 when he won six consecutive races at Woodbine Racetrack
. In 1999 Clark was voted the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award
. Among his more than 2,800 career wins, Clark has twice won Canada's most prestigious race, the Queen's Plate
. He earned his first win in 1981 aboard Fiddle Dancer Boy
and his second in 1985 on La Lorgnette
.
Divorced with two daughters, David Clark's daughter Cory followed in his footsteps and in 2000 she won the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
.
causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm in a May 16, 2006 motor vehicle accident near Kleinberg, Ontario that took the life of a 34-year-old school teacher. In November of 2008, Clark was sentenced to two years less a day of house arrest
followed by two years probation
and was required to do 240 hours of community service.
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 Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
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...
horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. He began riding professionally at Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
racetracks in 1973 and went on to become one of Canada's most successful jockeys of all-time.
Clark won the 1998 Sovereign Award
Sovereign Award
The Sovereign Award is given annually since 1975 by the Jockey Club of Canada to the outstanding horses and people in Canadian Thoroughbred racing.The most prestigious award for horses is Sovereign Horse of the Year....
as Canadian Champion Jockey
Sovereign Award for Outstanding Jockey
The Sovereign Award for Outstanding Jockey is a Canadian thoroughbred horse racing honor given annually since 1975 by the Jockey Club of Canada. Part of the Sovereign Awards, the "Outstanding Jockey" laurel is similar to the Eclipse Award given to jockeys in the United States.Honourees:*1975 : Hugo...
and on July 17 of that year he tied a record set by Sandy Hawley
Sandy Hawley
Desmond Sanford "Sandy" Hawley, CM is a Hall of Fame jockey.Sandy Hawley started out as a plumber then later decided to be a jockey. He started his career as a jockey when he was a 17-year-old boy, hotwalking horses at a Toronto racetrack...
in 1974 when he won six consecutive races at Woodbine Racetrack
Woodbine Racetrack
Woodbine Racetrack is a Canadian racetrack for Thoroughbred horse races located at 555 Rexdale Blvd. in the city of Toronto, Ontario. It is the only horseracing track in North America which stages, or is capable of staging, thoroughbred and standardbred horseracing programs on the same day...
. In 1999 Clark was 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...
. Among his more than 2,800 career wins, Clark has twice won Canada's most prestigious race, the Queen's Plate
Queen's Plate
The Queen's Plate is Canada's oldest thoroughbred horse race. It is run at a distance of 1¼ miles for 3-year-old thoroughbred horses foaled in Canada. The race takes place each summer in June or July at Woodbine Racetrack, Etobicoke , Ontario...
. He earned his first win in 1981 aboard Fiddle Dancer Boy
Fiddle Dancer Boy
Fiddle Dancer Boy was a Canadian Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1981 Queen's Plate, Canada's most prestigious race and North America's oldest annually run stakes race. Bred by prominent Ontario owner/breeder William R. Beasley, he was sired by Nice Dancer, the 1972 Canadian Champion...
and his second in 1985 on La Lorgnette
La Lorgnette
La Lorgnette is a Canadian Champion Thoroughbred filly racehorse. A giant sized filly at 17.1 hands, she was bred and raced by E. P. Taylor's Windfields Farm. She was sired by the Val de l'Orne, a multiple stakes winner in France including the Group One Prix du Jockey Club...
.
Divorced with two daughters, David Clark's daughter Cory followed in his footsteps and in 2000 she won the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
Sovereign Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
The Sovereign Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey is an Canadian Thoroughbred horse racing honor. Created in 1975 by the Jockey Club of Canada., it is part of the Sovereign Awards program and is awarded annually to a jockey undergoing their apprenticeship....
.
Conviction for drunk driving causing death
In April 2008, Clark pled guilty to charges of impaired drivingDriving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm in a May 16, 2006 motor vehicle accident near Kleinberg, Ontario that took the life of a 34-year-old school teacher. In November of 2008, Clark was sentenced to two years less a day of house arrest
House arrest
In justice and law, house arrest is a measure by which a person is confined by the authorities to his or her residence. Travel is usually restricted, if allowed at all...
followed by two years probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
and was required to do 240 hours of community service.