Shoemaker, Bill (William Lee Shoemaker), 1931–2003, American jockey, b. Fabens, Tex. A schoolboy wrestler and Golden Gloves boxer, he became a jockey and won his first race at age 18. The former all-time leader in career victories (8,833; surpassed in 1999 by Laffit Pincay Pincay, Laffit Alejandro, Jr. (läf`ēt älākhän`drō pēn`kī, pĭn`–)
..... Click the link for more information. , Jr.), he was one of the greatest American jockeys, with 11 victories in Triple Crown races. He also was the first jockey to win over $100 million. He retired in 1990 to become a trainer, working until 1997 despite being paralyzed in a 1991 automobile accident.

Shoemaker, Bill

or Willie Shoemaker in full William Lee Shoemaker

(born Aug. 19, 1931, Fabens, Texas, U.S.—died Oct. 12, 2003, San Marino, Calif.) U.S. jockey. He began his racing career in 1949. He rode in 24 Kentucky Derbies and won four; he also won the Belmont Stakes five times and the Preakness twice. He rode more than 8,800 winners in his 41-year career, which ended in 1989, and he is considered the greatest American jockey of the second half of the 20th century.

Shoemaker, (William Lee) Bill (1931– ) jockey; born in Fabens, Texas. The greatest winning jockey in thoroughbred racing history, he won 8,833 races in his 42-year career, including the Kentucky Derby (four times), the Belmont (five times), and the Preakness (twice). After retiring in 1990, he was paralyzed in an auto accident in 1991.