Biography of Julie Krone

In 1987 Krone became the first woman to win the riding title at a major track, topping the standings at Monmouth, Meadowlands, and Atlantic City. Moving primarily to New York, she continued to rank with the best. In 1993 she became the first woman to win a Triple Crown race, capturing a Belmont Stakes victory with Colonial Affair. Later that year she matched Angel Cordero, Jr. and Ron Turcotte for the Saratoga one-day record of five wins. Other achievements include winning 12 of 16 races in a three-day period and two five-win days at the Fair Grounds in her final season.

Major races won by Julie Krone include the Belmont Stakes, Arlington Classic, Carter Handicap, Cornhusker, Delaware Handicap, Fountain of Youth, Jersey Derby, Molson Export Million, and Withers Stakes. She was the regular rider for sprint champion Rubiano and won major events on Da Hoss, Cryptic Rascal, Maxzene, Clear Mandate, Peaks and Valleys, and Mr. Greeley, among others.

Calling herself the "Comeback Kid," Krone's career highlights were interspersed with frightening race injuries. The worst accident came on the last day of her successful Saratoga meet in 1993. She was trampled after a spill, badly bruised her heart and ribs, and broke an ankle. In January of 1995 she injured both hands in a fall at Gulfstream Park. Despite constant pain from her injuries, Julie Krone continued to break new ground for women riders. In February of 1999 she became the first female jockey to win 3,500 races but by April she had had enough. Declaring that she had "nothing left to prove," Krone rode her last race on April 18, 1999 and moved on to a career in broadcasting.