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Don Pierce, who won 3,546 races during a 30-year riding career that culminated in his election to racing's Hall of Fame, has died. He was 89.
Pierce died Monday in Denton, Texas, according to social media posts on Thursday from his brother, Larry, who was a former jockey, and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Pierce began his career with a victory on his first mount at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico in 1954 and went on to dominate the Southern California circuit before retiring in 1984.
He won the state's signature race for older horses, the Santa Anita Handicap, four times. Pierce also won the Los Angeles Handicap from 1969-73, as well as five editions of the Santa Anita Oaks.
He won the Del Mar Debutante and Hollywood Oaks four times, the Del Mar Derby three times and the Santa Anita Derby twice.
In 1973, he led all North American jockeys with 32 stakes wins. Pierce became known as one of the best money riders, often battling it out with friend and fellow jockey Bill Shoemaker for victories.
"If Shoe didn't win, I did," Pierce said. "That went on for a long time. I was really lucky in those races. I was always in the right place at the right time. I rode a lot of horses Shoe couldn't ride because he had so many chances."
Pierce rode for Hall of Fame trainers William Molter, Charlie Whittingham and Robert Wheeler.