Mack Garner

Biography

Riding professionally from the age of 14 until he died of a heart attack at age 36, Iowa native Mack Garner was one of the best of his generation.

North America’s leading rider in both wins (151) and earnings ($96,628) in 1915, Garner again topped the earnings leaderboard in 1929 ($314,975), the year he won the Belmont Stakes with Hall of Famer Blue Larkspur. Garner won the Belmont again in 1933 with Hurryoff, and won the Kentucky Derby the following year with Hall of Famer Cavalcade.

The great-grandson of a jockey, grandson of a jockey, son of a jockey, and brother to four jockeys, Garner enjoyed success from the beginning of his career. In 1915, only his second year in the irons, he won the Travers Stakes with Lady Rotha, the Latonia Cup with Star Jasmine, and the Spinaway Stakes with Jacoby.

Garner rode in four races, winning one, at River Downs on Oct. 28, 1936. That night, he had a heart attack and died. Garner won a total of 1,346 races.

Achievements

North America's leading rider in earnings — 1915, 1929
North America's leading rider in wins — 1915

Triple Crown Highlights 

Won the 1934 Kentucky Derby — Cavalcade
Won the 1929 Belmont Stakes — Blue Larkspur
Won the 1933 Belmont Stakes — Hurryoff

Other Highlights

Won the Spinaway Stakes — 1915, 1921
Won the Sanford Stakes — 1921, 1934
Won the Arlington Classic — 1929, 1934
Win the Test Stakes — 1931, 1932
Won the Travers Stakes — 1915
Won the Suburban Handicap — 1916
Won the Hopful Stakes — 1934