Walter Blum

Biography

When he retired in 1975 after a distinguished career that spanned more than two decades, only four jockeys had won more races than Walter Blum: fellow Hall of Fame members Bill Shoemaker, Johnny Longden, Eddie Arcaro, and Steve Brooks.

Blum’s first victory in a $100,000 race came aboard Royal Beacon II in the 1957 Atlantic City Handicap. He rode Hall of Famer Gun Bow to a photo-finish victory over Hall of Famer Kelso in the 1964 Woodward Stakes, and in the 1965 Futurity Stakes, Blum piloted the filly Priceless Gem to defeat Hall of Famer Buckpasser.

In 1971, Blum won the Belmont Stakes on Pass Catcher, denying Canonero II the Triple Crown. In both 1963 and 1964, Blum led all North American jockeys in wins with 360 and 324, respectively. Twice in his career, Blum rode six winners on a single card.

Blum won many of the most prestigious races in the country, including the Whitney Handicap, Santa Anita Derby, Frizette (twice), Prioress, Tremont Stakes, Brooklyn Handicap, Metropolitan Handicap (twice), Schuylerville, Test, Beldame, Coaching Club American Oaks, Mother Goose, Arlington Handicap, Florida Derby, and Monmouth Oaks, among others.

Even with all his major wins, Blum maintained that no accomplishment surpassed the enjoyment he experienced after he won his first career race on July 29, 1953, at Jamaica in New York City, at odds of 36-1 on a filly named Tusciana, trained by Hall of Famer Hirsch Jacobs.

Following his riding career, Blum became a racing official. He worked as a state steward in Florida from 1978 until his retirement in 2004. In 2015, he was one of five current and former stewards to be honored with the Pete Pedersen Award, presented annually to stewards who have made important contributions to the racing industry.

Achievements

North America's leading rider in wins — 1963, 1964

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1971 Belmont Stales — Pass Catcher