About Bill Hartack
William John Hartack Jr. (December 9, 1932 – November 26, 2007), known as Bill Hartack, was an American jockey in Thoroughbred racing. He won 4,272 races from 21,535 mounts in North America and was one of the leading American race riders of the 1950s and 1960s. Hartack won the Kentucky Derby five times, a record he shares with Eddie Arcaro, and also won the Preakness Stakes three times and the Belmont Stakes once. Hartack was North America's leading jockey by wins in 1955, 1956, 1957, and 1960, and led by earnings in 1956 and 1957. In 1957, he became the first jockey to surpass $3 million in purse earnings in a single season. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1959 at age 26, becoming the youngest rider elected to the Hall of Fame. Hartack was known for decisive race-riding, strong tactical judgment, and a difficult public reputation. His conflicts with owners, trainers, racing officials, fellow riders, and the press became a recurring part of his career coverage. As well, Hartack won the Preakness Stakes three times and the Belmont Stakes once. He rode Tim Tam to victory in the 1958 Florida Derby but a week before the Kentucky Derby, Hartack broke a leg and had to give up his ride on Tim Tam to replacement jockey Ismael Valenzuela, who won the Derby.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.