Julie Krone

Julie Krone
Name	Julie Krone
Birth date	August 24, 1963
Birth place	Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States
Occupation	Jockey, commentator
Years active	1981–2004

Julie Krone

Julie Krone is an American retired jockey and pioneering figure in Thoroughbred horse racing, notable for breaking gender barriers and achieving historic victories on major racetracks. Over a career spanning the 1980s through early 2000s she rode champions in Grade I events, competed in the Triple Crown series, and later transitioned to broadcasting and advocacy roles linked to horse racing and sports safety. Krone's career intersects with major events, trainers, owners, and institutions that shaped modern North American racing.

Early life and background

Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Krone grew up in a family connected to sports and athletics with early riding exposure leading to apprenticeship days at regional tracks such as Hawthorne Race Course, Sportsman's Park (Omaha), and Monmouth Park Racetrack. She moved to the New York and California circuits, riding for prominent trainers including Steve Asmussen, D. Wayne Lukas, Bob Baffert, Jerry Hollendorfer and working with owners linked to stables like Calumet Farm, Godolphin and WinStar Farm. Her early mentorship included interactions with veteran jockeys such as Bill Shoemaker, Angel Cordero Jr., Laffit Pincay Jr. and exercise riders connected to venues like Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park, Churchill Downs and Santa Anita Park.

Racing career

Krone began professional riding in the early 1980s, competing across circuits including Del Mar Racetrack, Keeneland and Gulfstream Park. She partnered with trainers such as John Gosden and Nick Zito and owners from stables affiliated with racing entities like the Jockey Club (United States), participating in stakes held by organizations such as the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and events coordinated with bodies like the New York Racing Association. Her career involved mountings in graded stakes and Triple Crown races, riding against Hall of Fame peers such as Jerry Bailey, Mike Smith (jockey), John Velazquez, Richard Migliore and Chris McCarron. Krone rode horses campaigned in major series run by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and competed in handicaps promoted by historic tracks including Aqueduct Racetrack and Turf Paradise.

Major wins and achievements

Highlights include a landmark victory in a Triple Crown race aboard a filly or colt trained by leading conditioners connected to the Breeders' Cup circuit, along with Grade I wins in races similar in stature to the Travers Stakes, Metropolitan Handicap and events held at Saratoga Race Course. Krone became the first woman to win a Triple Crown race, joining the ranks of champion riders recognized by induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and earning awards analogous to the Eclipse Award and other industry honors administered by organizations such as the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. She posted wins at marquee meetings including Breeders' Cup World Championships events, the Preakness Stakes, and high-profile handicaps contested at Churchill Downs and Belmont Park.

Riding style and techniques

Krone developed a forward seat and tactical acuity praised by contemporaries from stables like D. Wayne Lukas and broadcasters from networks affiliated with NBC Sports, ESPN, and racing shows on HBO Sports. Her technique blended strength with balance modeled after training methods found in stables of Richard Mandella and Todd Pletcher, and she was known for aggressive stretch drives reminiscent of strategies used by riders such as Pat Day and Robby Albarado. Krone's ability to judge pace and position in multipart fields on turf and dirt at tracks like Santa Anita Park and Keeneland made her a sought-after rider for owners linked to international racing interests including Coolmore Stud and Godolphin.

Injuries and retirement

Throughout her career Krone endured significant injuries typical of elite jockeys, receiving care from medical teams associated with facilities near Riverside County tracks and specialists linked to sports medicine centers collaborating with racing organizations like the Jockeys' Guild. A major accident led to a long recovery and ultimately factored into her decision to retire from regular riding, after which she pursued roles in broadcasting for outlets such as Fox Sports and became involved with safety advocacy alongside entities like the Jockeys' Guild and charitable efforts resembling those of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Her retirement paralleled post-career activities of other Hall of Fame riders who transitioned to training, commentary, and advocacy, maintaining ties to racing institutions including the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Honors and legacy

Krone's legacy includes induction into prominent halls honoring athletes from the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and recognition by bodies analogous to the Eclipse Awards and state sports halls. Her breakthroughs influenced subsequent generations of female riders and paralleled milestones achieved by athletes celebrated by institutions like the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame and the United States Sports Academy. Krone has been the subject of biographies, documentaries and profiles aired on outlets such as NBC Sports, ESPN and CBS Sports, and her career remains cited in museum exhibits, scholarly accounts at universities with equine programs and archives maintained by organizations like the Jockey Club (United States).

Category:American jockeys Category:Horse racing