Steve Brooks

Biography

The son of a Nebraska horse trader, Steve Brooks was riding competitively by the age of 10 and won his first race aboard a thoroughbred at a recognized track at the age of 17.

Although he won stakes in 1943 in the East with standouts such as Princequillo, Eurasian, and Bolingbroke, Brooks gained his early prominence in the Midwest, riding Spy Song for Dixiana Farm and Calumet Farm horses based in Chicago.

As regular rider for Calumet, Brooks was North America’s leading jockey in 1949, winning the Kentucky Derby that year with Ponder, lowering the world record for the mile with Hall of Fame member Coaltown, and topping all jockeys in stakes won.

Brooks rode Hall of Famers Two Lea and Citation for Calumet, lowering the mile record to 1:33⅗ with the latter. He was also up on Citation when he became the first horse to earn $1 million in purses. Brooks also rode Hall of Famers Round Table, Bewitch, and Devil Diver.

A strong rider and good finisher, Brooks, in 1963, became the fourth rider to win 4,000 races. He retired with a total of 4,451 wins. Brooks continued to exercise horses into his retirement. He died at the age of 58 from injuries suffered in a fall during a morning workout in 1979.

Achievements

North America's leading rider in earnings — 1949

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1949 Kentucky Derby — Ponder

Other Highlights

Won the Breeders' Futurity Stakes — 1945, 1946, 1947, 1956
Won the Ben Ali Handicap — 1952, 1955, 1960, 1962
Won the Clark Handicap — 1947, 1948, 1950
Won the Travers Stakes — 1943, 1961
Won the American Derby — 1949, 1961
Won the Hollywood Gold Cup — 1951, 1952