George Martens (jockey)
Encyclopedia
George Martens is a retired Champion
jockey
in American
Thoroughbred horse racing
best known for winning the 1981 Belmont Stakes
, the third leg of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
.
In 1976, George Martens was the top rated apprentice jockey in the United States, voted the Eclipse Award
as the country's Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
. In 1980 he earned the most important win of his career when he rode Summing
to victory in the Belmont Stakes.
Martens retired from riding in 1985 but returned to racing the following year. Following his permanent retirement, he has worked as an exercise rider at Belmont Park
. Some of the horses he has prepped include Lemon Drop Kid
, Touch Gold
, Sharp Humor
, and Colonial Affair
.
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
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 American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
best known for winning the 1981 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 of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
.
In 1976, George Martens was the top rated apprentice jockey in the United States, voted the Eclipse Award
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
as the country's 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 1980 he earned the most important win of his career when he rode Summing
Summing
Summing was an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by stakes winner Verbatim out of the Never Say Die mare, Well Kept....
to victory in the Belmont Stakes.
Martens retired from riding in 1985 but returned to racing the following year. Following his permanent retirement, he has worked as an exercise rider at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
. Some of the horses he has prepped include Lemon Drop Kid
Lemon Drop Kid
Lemon Drop Kid is a Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse.-Background:He is among many stakes-winning Thoroughbreds to be descended from Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew. Seattle Slew is the son of, Charming Lassie. Kingmambo was his sire, himself a son of the very important Champion sire Mr...
, Touch Gold
Touch Gold
Touch Gold is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the Classic Belmont Stakes in which he ended Silver Charm's bid for the U.S.Triple Crown....
, Sharp Humor
Sharp Humor
Sharp Humor is a thoroughbred race horse born April 21, 2003.-Connections:Sharp Humor is co-owned by the Purdedel Stable, trained by Dale Romans, and ridden by Mark Guidry. Sharp Humor was bred in New York by Patrica S. Purdy...
, and Colonial Affair
Colonial Affair
Colonial Affair is an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse....
.