Chris McCarron mounted his first horse ever at 16.5 years old and was racing professionally by 18.
10 Facts About Chris McCarron
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2.
At only 19 years old Chris McCarron wove a spell that brought his mounts to the winner's circle 547 times in 1974, breaking all records for most races won in a year.
3.
Chris McCarron was introduced to the sport of thoroughbred racing by his older brother, jockey Gregg McCarron.
4.
Chris McCarron began riding professionally in 1974 at East Coast racetracks where he won the 1974 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in the United States.
5.
Chris McCarron moved to race in California in 1977, a year he scored his first of three wins in the Kentucky Oaks.
6.
Chris McCarron led all North American jockeys in earnings in 1980,1981,1984 and 1991.
7.
Chris McCarron topped the leaderboard in wins in 1974,1975 and 1980.
8.
In 1989, Chris McCarron was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
9.
Chris McCarron finished as thoroughbred racing's ALL-TIME leader in purse earnings with more than $264 million in winnings and 7,141 races won.
10.
In 2003, Chris McCarron served as a technical advisor, racing designer and actor in the 2003 film Seabiscuit.