Donald R. Pierce
Encyclopedia
Donald R. Pierce is a retired U.S. Racing Hall of Fame
jockey
in thoroughbred horse racing
.
Based in California
, Pierce earned his first win in 1954 and went on to become a leading jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1967, he was voted the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award
which honors a rider whose career and personal conduct exemplifies the very best example of participants in the sport of thoroughbred racing. Of this recognition by his peers, Pierce said "I've got the trophy sitting on my mantle and it's very important to me. Without a doubt, it ranks close to anything I ever achieved in racing. It's very, very special."
Pierce was a four-time winner of California's most prestigious race, the Santa Anita Handicap
, and twice won the most important West Coast race for three-year-olds, the Santa Anita Derby
. Out of five appearances in the Kentucky Derby, his best result came in 1980 when he rode Elmendorf Farm's
Super Moment to a fourth place finish. In his only Preakness Stakes
, he finished fourth aboard Flying Paster
.
Between 1969 and 1973, Pierce set a California stakes race record by winning five straight editions of the Los Angeles Handicap
.
Retired and living in Encinitas
, not far from the Del Mar Racetrack
. As of 2007, he was still involved in the industry, maintaining an ownership stake in at least one racehorse.
In 2010, Don Pierce was voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
His brother, Larry Pierce
, was also a jockey who rode on the West Coast
where he is known for his success at race tracks in Washington state
.
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...
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:...
in thoroughbred horse racing
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
.
Based 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...
, Pierce earned his first win in 1954 and went on to become a leading jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1967, he was voted the 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...
which honors a rider whose career and personal conduct exemplifies the very best example of participants in the sport of thoroughbred racing. Of this recognition by his peers, Pierce said "I've got the trophy sitting on my mantle and it's very important to me. Without a doubt, it ranks close to anything I ever achieved in racing. It's very, very special."
Pierce was a four-time winner of California's most prestigious race, the Santa Anita Handicap
Santa Anita Handicap
The Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up , and is considered the most important race for older horses in North America during the winter racing season...
, and twice won the most important West Coast race for three-year-olds, the Santa Anita Derby
Santa Anita Derby
The Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade 1 thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run each April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and carries a purse of $1 million. Inaugurated in 1935, it is considered the most important West Coast stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby...
. Out of five appearances in the Kentucky Derby, his best result came in 1980 when he rode Elmendorf Farm's
Elmendorf Farm
Elmendorf Farm is a Kentucky Thoroughbred horse farm in Fayette County, Kentucky, and has been involved with horse racing since the early 19th century...
Super Moment to a fourth place finish. In his only 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...
, he finished fourth aboard Flying Paster
Flying Paster
Flying Paster was an American Thoroughbred racehorse bred in California by his owner, Bernard J. Ridder of the Knight Ridder newspaper chain...
.
Between 1969 and 1973, Pierce set a California stakes race record by winning five straight editions of the Los Angeles Handicap
Los Angeles Handicap
The Los Angeles Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in May at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. A Grade III sprint race run on dirt over a distance of six furlongs, it is open to horses aged three and older.The 1968 race was run in two...
.
Retired and living in Encinitas
Encinitas, California
Encinitas is a coastal beach city in San Diego County, California. Located within Southern California, it is approximately north of San Diego in North County and about south of Los Angeles. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 59,518, up from 58,014 at the 2000 census. Encinitas is...
, not far from the Del Mar Racetrack
Del Mar Racetrack
Del Mar Racetrack is an American Thoroughbred horse racing track at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the seaside city of Del Mar, California, 20 miles north of San Diego. Operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, it is known for the slogan: "Where The Turf Meets The Surf." It was built by a partnership...
. As of 2007, he was still involved in the industry, maintaining an ownership stake in at least one racehorse.
In 2010, Don Pierce was voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
His brother, Larry Pierce
Larry Pierce (jockey)
Larry Pierce is a retired American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey known as one of the north-western United States' finest.-Life and career:...
, was also a jockey who rode on the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
where he is known for his success at race tracks in Washington state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
.