Virginia Pinky Smith

Virginia "Pinky" Smith was the first licensed female jockey in the Pacific Northwest.

History

Smith grew up in Auburn, Washington.[1] Smith rode horses from the time she was a child. According to her mother, Smith was elated when she learned that "Penny Ann Early was going to break into the previously all-male occupation of riding."[1] In 1969, Smith became the first female jockey to be licensed in the Northwest and the sixth woman in the country to obtain a jockey's license.[2] She was the "top girl rider" at the Pitt Park Meet in 1972.[3]In 1983, Smith won the Arizona Breeders' Derby riding Arizona Brave.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Brown, Bruce (30 August 1969). "Gal Jockey's Mother Not Fearful for Her Safety in Dangerous Sport". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Jockey: A Look at Past and Present Female Jockeys in Arizona". Arizona Thoroughbred. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  3. ↑ Fink, David (3 November 1978). "Waterford Sets 2nd Girl Race". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 30 May 2014.

External links