Jon Court

Jon Court is a prominent figure in North American Thoroughbred horse racing, recognized for his longevity and consistent performance. Court began his riding career in Colorado and achieved his first victory at Centennial Racetrack. He spent 12 years competing in Louisiana before relocating to Kentucky and Indiana, where he became a leading rider at Hoosier Park. Influenced by Bill Shoemaker, Court pursued his goal of becoming a jockey from a young age, leading to a career that spanned more than four decades.

Court accumulated 4,263 victories and $114,023,582 in purse earnings, ranking among the top jockeys in North American history. He holds the record as the all-time winningest jockey at Birmingham Race Course and Hoosier Park, and has earned leading rider titles at Ellis Park in Kentucky and Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. Notable achievements include consecutive wins in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby with Line of David and Archarcharch, and he is among the top riders in Oaklawn Park's history with 730 wins and 38 stakes victories. Court has cited his win in the Japan Cup Dirt, now known as the Champions Cup, aboard Fleetstreet Dancer as a career highlight.

Court is known for his ability to compete at a high level well into his sixties. At age 58, he became the oldest jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby, finishing 16th aboard Long Range Toddy. He later became the oldest jockey in American Thoroughbred racing history to win a $1 million race when Last Samurai captured the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap. Court attributes his career longevity to prioritizing his health. Over his career, he rode more than 35,300 races in North America, from his first mount, Neva's Hope, to his last, League of Legends.

Court has received recognition beyond his riding statistics, including the Mike Venezia Memorial Award for sportsmanship and citizenship and the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, which is voted on by American jockeys and honors high standards of conduct. He has expressed particular pride in the creation of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, which supports disabled jockeys.

After announcing his retirement, Court rode his final race at Oaklawn Park aboard League of Legends. His four-decade career was acknowledged by industry experts, who named him Jockey of the Week. Court continues to engage with the public, sharing his experiences through events such as "To Fly Without Wings: An Evening with Veteran Jockey Jon Court," presented by the Shelby County Historical Society. His career reflects dedication, discipline, and a lasting commitment to Thoroughbred horse racing.