Joe Aitcheson, Jr.

Joe Aitcheson, Jr.
Born 31 July 1928
Occupation jockey

Joseph Leiter Aitcheson Jr.(born July 31, 1928 in Olney, Maryland) is an American steeplechase jockey who was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1978.

Early life

Aitcheson’s father, Joe Sr., who also pitched for the Baltimore Orioles in the minor leagues and the Brooklyn Dodgers in the majors, helped his brother Whitney found the Iron Bridge Hounds, serving as its Master of Foxhounds for many years. Introduced to the saddle at age 3, Aitcheson later worked weekends at his uncle Whitney’s riding stables, cleaning barns and guiding trail rides.

After high school, he enrolled at the University of Maryland, lasting one semester. Aitcheson enlisted in the United States Navy, serving four years during the Korean War as a gunner’s mate on the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany.

Upon his discharge, Aitcheson returned to Maryland and applied for his professional steeplechase jockey’s license.

Racing career

Aitcheson retired as the winningest steeplechase jockey in history, posting 440 jump wins from 2,457 mounts over a career spanning more than two decades, exceeding the next highest career total by almost ten percent (42 more than Alfred P. “Paddy” Smithwick.) In addition, Aitcheson holds the single season jump wins record of 40.

Aitcheson won eight Virginia Gold Cups, seven Carolina Cups, and six International Gold Cups, also clinching five Temple Gwathmeys, five Noel Laings, five Midsummers and five Manlys.

The National Steeplechase Association has maintained, since 1956, a list of annual leading jockeys by races won. Aitcheson has won more titles than any other jockey, 7. He took his first national steeplechase riding title in 1961, adding two more in 1963 and 1964. Doug Small and Tommy Walsh upended his reign in 1965 and 1966, respectively, but Aitcheson took four consecutive titles between 1967 through 1970. Aitcheson rode many of his era’s national champions including Peal (1961), Amber Diver (1963), Bon Nouvel (1964, 1965 and 1968), Tuscalee (1966), Top Bid (1970) and Soothsayer (1972).

In 1976, he became the only professional jockey to receive the National Steeplechase Association’s F. Ambrose Clark Award for lifetime service to the sport. Aitcheson was named the Maryland Horse Council’s Horseman of the Year for 2006.

He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1978.

Personal

Aitcheson has been married three times and has one daughter, Jody, from his second marriage. He also has one grandson.

Aitcheson presently lives in a retirement community in Silver Spring. Aitcheson’s sister, Jane Cartwright, and her husband, retired Maryland trainer Ron Cartwright, live nearby.

Joe was known as "The Bionic Man", as he had so many injuries from spills and was put back together so often that he was like a machine. Nothing stopped this man from his profession, as his love for the steeplechase racing was his crowning glory.

Career at a glance

Principal races won

External links

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