Ivan H. Parke

An instant star in the irons, Ivan Parke was North America’s leading rider as an apprentice in 1923, winning 173 races from 718 mounts. With seven-race cards at Latonia in Kentucky, he once won 10 races in two days. In 1924, he again led in races won, 205 from 844 mounts, while also topping the leaderboard in purse earnings with $290,395 while under contract with Hall of Fame member Harry Payne Whitney.

Inducted

1978

Born

Nov. 1, 1908, Albion, Idaho

Died

Jan. 20, 1995, Gainesville, Florida

Career

1923-1931

Wins

419

Racing Record

23.44

Win %

Biography

An instant star in the irons, Ivan Parke was North America’s leading rider as an apprentice in 1923, winning 173 races from 718 mounts. With seven-race cards at Latonia in Kentucky, he once won 10 races in two days. In 1924, he again led in races won, 205 from 844 mounts, while also topping the leaderboard in purse earnings with $290,395 while under contract with Hall of Fame member Harry Payne Whitney.

Among Parke’s most notable victories was the inaugural Wood Memorial Stakes aboard Backbone in1925. He also rode the winner in the first race ever at Hialeah in 1923. Parke won the Ashford Oaks, Bowie Handicap, Breeders’ Futurity, Capitol Handicap, Pimlico Cup Handicap, Thanksgiving Handicap, and Washington Handicap, among others.

Increasing weight forced Parke to retire in his third season at the age of 19. He returned briefly as a steeplechase rider for Greentree Stable in 1930 and 1931, winning nine races over jumps from 43 mounts. Overall, Parke won 419 races as a jockey.

One of five brothers from Idaho who became successful in the sport, Parke transitioned to a training career in 1935. He went on to saddle 27 stakes winners, including Hoop Jr., with whom he won the 1945 Kentucky Derby. Parke also bred and trained top sprinter Olympia, winner of the 1949 Wood Memorial, and conditioned champion 2-year-old Jewel’s Reward for Elizabeth Arden Graham’s Maine Chance Farm.