At age two, emigrated with his family to Taber, Alberta, Canada. In 1927 went to California to find work as a Thoroughbred racing jockey.
Won horseracing's US Triple Crown in 1943 aboard Count Fleet.
Died on his 96th Birthday.
Rode 6,032 winning horses (a world record at the time) in a racing career that covered nearly 40 years, including a sweep of the 1943 Triple Crown aboard Count Fleet.
Only man in history to win the Kentucky Derby as a jockey (1943 on Count Fleet) and as a trainer (Majestic Prince in 1969).
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 336-337. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
Inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1958.
Inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1976.
Inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame in 1958.