Ralph Neves

Biography

At the time of his retirement in 1964, Ralph Neves ranked sixth all time with 3,772 wins. Known for his aggressive riding and a strong preference for riding on the lead, Neves was 13 when he began riding and his initial track experience came in California under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer M. E. “Buster” Millerick.

Although most of his success took place on the West Coast, Neves rode with distinction for Anthony Pelleteri and W. E. Boeing in the East and for Calumet Farm in the Midwest. Neves rode as light as 105 pounds, at which weight he won the 1957 Santa Anita Handicap with Llangollen’s Cornhusker.

Neves’ most famous mount was Hall of Famer Round Table. His favorite victory was aboard Sweepida in the 1940 Santa Anita Derby. Neves also won a Hollywood Gold Cup with Solidarity, a San Juan Capistrano with Royal Living, and a Santa Anita Maturity with Trackmaster.

Seriously injured numerous times, Neves went down in a spill at Bay Meadows in 1936 and was pronounced dead by the track announcer; it was a bad call, as Neves rode for another 28 years.

Achievements

Won the Sunset Handicap — 1939, 1954, 1957
Won the Hollywood Derby — 1953, 1954, 1962
Won the San Felipe Stakes — 1940, 1946
Won the Los Angeles Handicap — 1958, 1960
Won the Samta Anita Derby — 1940
Won the Del Mar Handicap — 1949
Won the Hollywood Gold Cup — 1949
Won the Blue Grass Stakes — 1957
Won the Santa Anita Handicap — 1957
Won the San Juan Capistrano Handicap — 1959