William J. Passmore
| William J. Passmore | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Hirsch Jacobs Stakes (1979) Fashion Stakes (1982) Sorority Stakes (1982) Pennsylvania Derby (1983) Morven Stakes (1984) |
| Significant horses | |
| Dixieland Band, Cure the Blues | |
William J. "Bill" Passmore Sr. (March 8, 1933 – May 14, 2009) was an American jockey and racing steward who raced thoroughbred horses for 38 years, including at the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, winning 3,531 races and $23 million in prize money before spending 20 years as a steward.
The 5-foot-5-inch (165 cm), 99-pound (45 kg) jockey was born in
He rode Hannibal to an eighth-place finish in a field of 16 at the running of the 1952 Kentucky Derby, the only time he rode in that race. His only appearance in the Belmont Stakes was in 1983 when he finished in 14th aboard Dixieland Band. He rode in the Preakness Stakes three times, finishing seventh aboard Galdar in 1954, riding Knight Landing to a seventh-place finish in 1980, and finishing fourth atop Thirty Eight Paces in 1981.
In 1981, Passmore became the 32nd jockey in North American racing to win 3,000 races, part of a career in which he won 3,531 races and $23 million in purses out of 29,490 mounts. He retired from racing in 1986, having interrupted his 38-year career in the early 1960s for a year and a half when he worked as a jockey's valet while trying to break out of a slump. During his years as a jockey, Mr. Passmore regularly rode for King T. Leatherbury, Jim McKay, and Art Rooney.[2] Among the notable horses that Passmore rode were Christopher R, Cure the Blues, Jameela, and Twixt.[3]
Racing editor and historian Joseph B. Kelly of the
He used his experience as a jockey to serve as a steward for the Maryland Racing Commission, starting from when he left riding in 1986 until his deteriorating health forced him to retire a year before his death. Former racing writer Ross Peddicord of the Baltimore Sun described Passmore's honesty and fairness in his role as a steward making him one of the "pillars that perpetuated the reputation of Maryland racing for world-class horsemanship, undisputed class and quality...".[2] Passmore was leery of accepting betting suggestions from jockeys who he characterized as "the worst touts at the track. I think the track makes a big mistake not installing a mutuel window in the jocks' room."[2]
Passmore died at age 76 in his home in Millersville, Maryland, on May 14, 2009, due to complications from emphysema.[2]
References
- ^ a b Wiseman, Lauren. "Underrated Jockey Stayed Close to Md.", The Washington Post, May 17, 2009. Accessed May 19, 2009.
- ^ Baltimore Sun, May 16, 2009. Accessed May 18, 2009.
- ^ via Associated Press. "Bill Passmore, Former Jockey and Racing Steward, Dies at 76", The New York Times, May 15, 2009. Accessed May 19, 2009.