Jerry Fishback

Biography

In a career that spanned more than 20 years, Virginia native Jerry Fishback rode 301 steeplechase winners, tying him for third all time with Hall of Famer Frank “Dooley” Adams, and trailing only Hall of Famers Joseph Aitcheson, Jr. (440) and A. P. “Paddy” Smithwick (398).

The premier steeplechase rider of the 1970s, Fishback led all jump jockeys in wins in 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, and 1977. After 1973, Fishback was retained as first-call rider for Jonathan Sheppard, the Hall of Fame trainer for whom Fishback principally rode through the remainder of his career. Fishback’s best season was 1977, when he won 33 races, which was 16 percent of all jump races contested that year.

Fishback rode some of the sport’s elite horses in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the regular rider of Hall of Famers Café Prince and Flatterer, as well as champions Shadow Brook, Soothsayer, and Athenian Idol.

In 1979, Fishback unexpectedly retired after winning the Lovely Night Steeplechase at Saratoga aboard Café Prince, but he returned to riding in 1984 with a victory aboard Flatterer in the Atlanta Cup. Fishback was atop the purse earnings list for steeplechase riders in 1985 and retired for good in 1987.

Known for his cool demeanor in the saddle, intense concentration, and keen sense of pace, Fishback was universally respected throughout the sport. He rode his first sanctioned race in 1964 at Middleburg, Virginia, and during his career won virtually all the major steeplechase races, including six editions of the Temple Gwathmey (with six different horses) and four runnings of the Colonial Cup. Fishback also won Delaware Park’s Tom Roby Steeplechase six times and he enjoyed considerable success at Saratoga, where he won many races, including the New York Turf Writers Cup.

Achievements

North America’s leading steeplechase rider in wins — 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977
North America’s leading steeplechase rider in earnings — 1977, 1978, 1985

Other Highlights

Won the Temple Gwathmey — 1968, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1985, 1987
Won the Colonial Cup — 1977, 1984, 1985, 1986
Won the Imperial Cup — 1978, 1979, 1985, 1987
Won the American Grand National — 1976, 1978