Sandy Hawley

Sandy Hawley is recognized as one of the most accomplished jockeys in the history of thoroughbred horse racing. Beginning his career at Woodbine, Hawley quickly established himself by leading the Canadian standings for an entire season as an apprentice and riding 230 winners, the highest total for any apprentice jockey in North America at that time. He advanced his career by winning 452 races the following year, more than any other jockey in North America.

Hawley led all North American jockeys in wins multiple times and became the first to ride 500 winners in a single year, surpassing Bill Shoemaker's previous record. This achievement earned him the Eclipse Award of Merit and the Lou Marsh Award as Canada's outstanding athlete. In a standout season, Hawley won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in the United States after breaking the all-time money-winning record for a single year in thoroughbred racing. With 6,450 career victories, Hawley was a dominant presence at Hollywood Park, where his consistent success led many to refer to the venue as "Hawley Park."

Hawley secured major stakes victories in the United States and won the Queen's Plate, Canada's most prestigious thoroughbred race, four times. He holds the record for most wins in the Canadian Oaks with eight and twice achieved seven wins in a single day at Woodbine Racetrack. In California, Hawley received the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, which honors a North American rider for exemplary personal and professional conduct. He was also awarded the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian sport.

Hawley overcame a diagnosis of aggressive skin cancer, returning to reach significant milestones, including his 5,000th career win at Canterbury Downs and his 6,450th win after briefly coming out of retirement. He ranks among the top jockeys in career wins and is known for his professionalism and competitive spirit in the horse racing industry.

Hawley has been inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, and the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, which presents the Sandy Hawley Award annually for community dedication. Following his retirement, Hawley served as a public relations ambassador for the Ontario Jockey Club. His career, marked by record-breaking achievements and resilience, continues to be influential in the world of thoroughbred racing.