Larry Pierce (jockey)
Encyclopedia
Larry Pierce is a retired American Thoroughbred horse racing
jockey
known as one of the north-western United States
' finest.
jockey Donald
. His ex-wife Teri was the daughter of noted California jockey Don McLean. He and Teri had three children, Brett, Brandi, and Aaron. Of his three children only Brett followed his father's footsteps on the race track, starting his riding career shortly after his father's retirement. His son, Brett, currently works for Emerald Downs and gallops in the morning.
He began riding at age 16 and came to Seattle to ride in 1963. In 1966 he set a world record on Sandy Fleet going 6½ furlongs. 4 years later he was to break this record on a little known horse who would later make Washington Thoroughbred Horse history, Turbulator. One of the most noted rides that Pierce and Turbulator had was a loss in the Longacres Mile in 1970 when the horse banged into the gate at the start breaking his left stirrup. Pierce managed to stay on board but was beaten by 2 lengths and finished in 5th place. Pierce earned his only win in the Longacres Mile in 1973 on Silver Mallet.
Larry Pierce retired from riding in 1984 and turned to training
at Longacres until the racetrack shut down in 1990. He continued training afterwards at Emerald Downs
and Yakima Meadows
. Larry Pierce ranked second all-time leading riders with 63 stakes wins at Longacres (Gary Baze
, who is currently still riding holds first place). He also won three leading rider titles during his career. Pierce rode a state record seven winners in one day on May 20, 1972. On September 14, 2008 he was inducted in to the Washington Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.
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...
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:...
known as one of the north-western United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' finest.
Life and career
Larry Pierce is younger brother of U. S. Racing Hall of FameNational 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 Donald
Donald R. Pierce
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...
. His ex-wife Teri was the daughter of noted California jockey Don McLean. He and Teri had three children, Brett, Brandi, and Aaron. Of his three children only Brett followed his father's footsteps on the race track, starting his riding career shortly after his father's retirement. His son, Brett, currently works for Emerald Downs and gallops in the morning.
He began riding at age 16 and came to Seattle to ride in 1963. In 1966 he set a world record on Sandy Fleet going 6½ furlongs. 4 years later he was to break this record on a little known horse who would later make Washington Thoroughbred Horse history, Turbulator. One of the most noted rides that Pierce and Turbulator had was a loss in the Longacres Mile in 1970 when the horse banged into the gate at the start breaking his left stirrup. Pierce managed to stay on board but was beaten by 2 lengths and finished in 5th place. Pierce earned his only win in the Longacres Mile in 1973 on Silver Mallet.
Larry Pierce retired from riding in 1984 and turned to training
Horse training
Horse training refers to a variety of practices that teach horses to perform certain behaviors when asked to do so by humans. Horses are trained to be manageable by humans for everyday care as well as for equestrian activities from horse racing to therapeutic horseback riding for people with...
at Longacres until the racetrack shut down in 1990. He continued training afterwards at Emerald Downs
Emerald Downs
Emerald Downs is a thoroughbred racetrack in Auburn, Washington, located a half mile east of Highway 167. It is named after Seattle, the Emerald City.-History:...
and Yakima Meadows
Yakima Meadows
Yakima Meadows was a horse racing track located in Yakima, Washington.The track closed in 1998 after 37 years of operation. It is a one mile dirt oval with seating for about 3,500 fans....
. Larry Pierce ranked second all-time leading riders with 63 stakes wins at Longacres (Gary Baze
Gary Baze
Gary Baze is an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey. An inductee of the Washington State Racing Hall of Fame, his Hall of Fame profile says of him: "As much as anything, Baze is respected throughout the industry for his honesty, courtesy, sportsmanship and work ethic."A member of the...
, who is currently still riding holds first place). He also won three leading rider titles during his career. Pierce rode a state record seven winners in one day on May 20, 1972. On September 14, 2008 he was inducted in to the Washington Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.