Clarence Kummer

Biography

The leading money-winning jockey in North America in 1920 when he posted career-highs of 87 wins and purse earnings of $292,376, Clarence Kummer piloted Hall of Famer Man o’ War to nine of the mighty colt’s 11 victories that year, including the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

A New York City native, Kummer rode many of the best horses of his era, winning stakes aboard Hall of Famers Sir Barton, Exterminator, Billy Kelly, Crusader, and Sarazen, as well as champions St. James, Master Charlie, Chance Play, and Black Maria.

Kummer won the first two runnings of the Jockey Club Stakes (later renamed the Jockey Club Gold Cup) in 1919 with Purchase and in 1920 with Man o’ War, respectively. He won his second Preakness with Coventry in 1925 and his second Belmont in 1928 with Vito. Kummer’s great talent was best shown in the 1924 International Special when he brought Ladkin home to beat Epinard by a head.

Kummer began to struggle making weight later in his career and rode his final races in 1928, that year's Belmont victory with Vito being his final notable win. Kummer was exercising horses for Hall of Fame trainer James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons in 1930 when he contracted pneumonia and died at the age of 31.

Achievements

North America's leading rider in earnings — 1920

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1920 Preakness Stakes — Man o' War
Won the 1925 Preakness Stakes — Coventry
Won the 1920 Belmont Stakes — Man o' War
Won the 1928 Belmont Stakes — Vito

Other Highlights

Won the Jockey Club Stakes — 1919, 1920
Won the Suburban Handicap — 1921, 1927
Won the Travers Stakes — 1925