Laffit Pincay
Laffit Alejandro Pincay, Jr. who retired as the winnningest jockey of all-time in 1993, boasts some 9,531 victories in his career. Born on 29 December 1946 in Panama City, Pincay participated in his first race in 1964. A renowned jockey, Laffit Pincay underwent many difficulties in his life, but always seemed to come out on top.
At the age of 15 years, Laffit Pincay began working as a hot-walker. Starting early in the morning he would muck out stables and complete his duties before heading off to school. When he turned 16 he began exercising the race horses and a year later he was working the horse out of the gate. Pincay rode to victory on Huelen in 1964 at Panama’s Presidente Remon racecourse. Fred W. Hooper brought Pincay with him to the United States in the year 1965 where he began as a jockey at Chicago’s Arlington Park. Galloping onto the local race scene he won 8 of the first 11 races. From Arlington Park he went to Illinois’ Hawthorne Park, then to New York and on to California.
Laffit Pincay married Linda in 1967. Lisa, their daughter was born in 1970, followed by their son, Laffit III in 1975. Sadly, Linda Pincay ended her life in 1985. Two weeks later Pincay was again in the stirrups winning the Santa Maria Handicap. In 1992 he remarried, with his new wife, Jeaninegiving birth to Jean-Laffit in 1993.
During his racing career Laffit Alejandro Pincay created a memorable name for himself. In 1975 Pincay received recognition by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame when he was inducted. He was a recipient of the Eclipse award on 5 occasions. He is known for winning the 1984 Kentucky Derby as well as gaining 3 Belmont victories. Awarded the 1970 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, Pincay was considered an exemplary jockey in the industry. He broke the record for most career wins, held by Bill Shoemaker, in 1999 with his 8,834th victory on Irish Nip at California’s Hollywood Park. Laffit Pincay announced his retirement in April 2003 following a serious injury at Santa Anita Park. Laffit Pincay is a remarkable jockey who has certainly left his mark on horse racing history.
