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Bill Hartack Obituary
Hartack died Monday night from natural causes due to heart disease, said Dr. Corinne Stern, the chief medical examiner in Webb County.
Hartack and fellow Hall of Fame rider Eddie Arcaro are the only jockeys to win the Kentucky Derby five times. Hartack won his first Derby with Iron Liege in 1957. He then won with Venetian Way in 1960, Decidedly in 1962, Northern Dancer in 1964 and Majestic Prince in 1969.
In winning the '57 Derby, Hartack was the beneficiary of perhaps the greatest goof in racing history - when Bill Shoemaker misjudged the finish line aboard Gallant Man, and Iron Liege won by a nose.
Hartack, considered among the fiercest riders in the game, rode until 1974 and had 4,272 wins from 21,535 mounts, winning nearly 20 percent of his races. He won the Preakness aboard Fabius in 1956, Northern Dancer in 1964 and Majestic Prince in 1969. He won the Belmont Stakes once, with Celtic Ash in 1960.
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press
51 Entries
diane sellers
September 21, 2022
Spoke to you over the phone several times when you were a steward. very sweet. will never forget you.
Bunny Sharon
Sharon Rogers
May 19, 2019
I knew Bill in 1962 and 1963 in Chicago where he came several times a year to race. I lived at the Playboy Mansion at the time and he spent a lot of time at the Mansion. He was so fun to be around!!
I just found this page. I was not aware that he had passed. RIP Bill. You are one of the greats!! You will go down in History!
james stewart
May 27, 2018
Bill was contract rider in part of the 50's for Bill Schmidt in Chicago. My dad, Schmidt and other horsemen played polo Sundays (when the tracks were dark) at Schmidt's armory on Sanders Road Northbrook -- Hartack was as determined in polo as in racing and usually scored in every chukker.
Notable low-key event I witnessed was a race in either '56 or '57 at Washington Park when Hartack's mount Sanders Road dwelt and was ~20 lengths back at first call -- only to then barrel down the stretch to win -- amazing feat
Cassandra Lee Todd Vicknair
May 7, 2016
Met this wonderful and gifted gentleman in Chicago in1962! Went riding in Lincoln Park and walked the horses across Lake Shore Drive and rode our beautiful thoroughbred horses on the Beach at Lake Mchigan for hours! Loved that man! Always so happy, great communicator, great sense of humor and lover of humanity and animals. Will forever remember his generosity to so many people in need! Always the perfect gentleman and the most magnificent rider in history of racing and equestrian riding! He was always one with his horse! Miss you Bill! Can close my eyes and see you riding on the beach in heavan!
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Tina Adams
May 3, 2016
I have followed Bill ever since I was a little girl, as I learned he was my 3rd cousin, and, as lots of little girls, loved horses. I'm sorry I never met him. What a fascinating life story. Tina Adams, Ebensburg, Pa
Patricia Walsh
July 22, 2015
God Bless
carol
May 2, 2015
I was 13 years old when I discovered Bill Hartack in 1963. I took a tiny cutout of his sports illustrated cover to camp, used his winning desire to power me through a childhood that needed someone like him. I even took his cigarette butt from the paddock at Arlington park and still have it in a scrapbook. Only someone with a crush on someone with his qualities can understand what a jockey meant to a little girl. a long long time ago. Watching the derby and remembering Bill Hartack.
H. M. Pope
February 14, 2015
I will remember Bill Hartack as long as I live with a memory. Bless him. The world is a better place for Bill having been here. He was way ahead of his time in his thinking regarding many matters related to horse racing. I could have written many of the same thoughts and feelings expressed by Helen Hartmann in her comments here. The first horse race I remember seeing was on TV with my parents: It was the 1957 Kentucky Derby with that exciting and unusual finish which Bill won. I was 8 years old in the second grade. I've been a racing fan ever since. As I followed racing and learned more about Bill Hartack, he became a positive influence on my life in many ways, as I'm sure he was and continues to be for many others. Bill Hartack was the epitome of integrity, intelligence, guts, and too many other positives to mention, and I will always love him for the person he was and the things he stood for...Rest In Peace, Bill Hartack.
Angus Arsenault
October 30, 2014
I was in the trotting horse game for over 50 years. The most intelligent horseman that I ever met , I met in the three months I spent in the Thoroughbred game, Bill Hartack. I was so fortunate that Bill seemed to take a liking to me. I will never forget him.
Rest In Peace....you will always be missed.
Peppi Greco
May 30, 2014
I was 17 years when I exercised horses at Waterford Park. Bill rode a horse that I owned to the horses only victory that year. I always admired him, and of course, all of us girls found him just adorable. I am so, so sad that he is gone. I still have his whip, a pair of his old boots , and one of his winning silver platters, which I treasure.
Mick Keegan
June 28, 2012
Great hands , great rider and i loved watching him ride.
G.S Nolan
September 29, 2011
Bill was a great guy.As a kids growing up in Miami Springs he would play pick up football games with us. I'm sure he felt comfortable with us guys as we all were about his size. He would go full out and we were always afraid he might get hurt and tried to protect him as he always played to win.
September 13, 2011
Bill Hartack was my first cusin, only met him a few times, once at the Kentucy Derby with my Uncle George And my father Michael, he was one of the best
Sandra Witt
November 9, 2009
I have 8 winning platters that are sterling silver with his name winning horse. Trainer owner 940 westward drive. Miami springs Florida 33167
Patricia Walsh
June 24, 2009
Just heard the news and I was shocked and saddened. God Bless You and condolences to your family. You were a great jockey and I considered you a friend. May you rest in peace.
Charles Sage
January 11, 2009
Dear Mr. Hartack,
In my youth I aspired to achieve that level of professional integrity and discipline which you consistently demonstrated throughout your career. As of this writing, at the age of 60, I'm still working at and will always be grateful for your inspiration.
buzz daly
January 10, 2009
in the 1950's i saw bill hartack race at monmouth park, atlantic city and garden city race tracks in new jersey. the first time i saw him, he rode to victory against a 3-5 favorite. bill hartack was a sterling example of someone dedicated to a conscientous work ethic. he was also an incredible talent.
he will never be forgotten.
Joe Pumilia
October 28, 2008
I first saw Bill Hartack ride on Widener Day at Hialeah in February of 1960. He widn't win the featured race but champion that we was he came back and won the last two races on the card that day. The last was Kathy Kim.
I followed his career and when living in Florida ten years later ran out to Hialeah after lunch. Bet the first race, Bill's first mount of the day, Devil's Domino. He won and I took my winnings and left and quickly bought a gift or my wife.
As for the 1969 Belmont Stakes, his mount, Majestic Prince, was a tired and hurting animal and bravely held on to take second place.
Both of them went out as champions.
Rest in Peace, Bill, you were a champion not to be forgotten
Georgianna Reid
September 10, 2008
I had LeRoy Nieman donate a poster
of you ...To the Kentucky Derby Museum..you will never be forgotten.
mark turk
August 31, 2008
I met Bill at Woodbine a month before he passed. He treated me great, we took some photos and I bought a woodcarving of him on Northern Dancer and he signed it! I was so shocked to hear that he passed. He looked well and seemed happy to me. He was a very knowledgable horseman.
Georgianna Reid
August 10, 2008
I will never forget you......
Georgianna Reid
Michael & Patricia Hurtack Jr.
May 23, 2008
To the Hartack Family tho I have not met you, I heard many stories from my father Michael Hurtack Sr.and my uncles George & Edward. My deepest condolences. Your cousin
Vincent von frese
February 10, 2008
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Tim Weyh
December 19, 2007
I will never forget the words of my great uncle,Thoruoghbred Trainer Harold White, "if a horse had any run Hartack could find it"and it was inspiring to see him di it.
Dolores Fires
December 12, 2007
To the family, friends & fans of the great Bill Hartack,
My thoughts, prayers & memories are with all of you at this time. My Dad introduced me to horse racing at Arlington Park about 46 years ago. We went to Arlington as often as possible, mostly to watch the greatest jockey of all time and the beautiful horses. I have a wonderful collection of autographed photos, racing programs and lots of newspaper & magazine articles, which I treasure. He will be greatly missed.
I just want to add that my other favorite jockey of all time is my Brother-in-Law, Earlie Fires.
Dolores Fires
Island Lake, IL
Helen Hartmann
December 11, 2007
Somehow, I hope that Bill Hartack knew how loved he was. Reading these pages makes me remember back when I first saw him on TV during the late 1950's on a Saturday afternoon with my Dad who loved horse racing. I got hooked that day. I was 9 or so. As I learned more and more about Bill Hartack, I came to truely appreciate his honesty, grit, his talent and especially his integrity. I have remembered that all my life. He was a great jockey and an even greater role model for a kid like me. I have carried his spirit with me for all my life. I did not know Bill Hartack and I never met him. But, he has stayed a very integral part of my life. Bill, I know in my heart that you are up there with all the champions who have gone before you. Rest easy. You will always be remembered.
B Quigley
December 11, 2007
Bill Hartack is my favorite jockey ever. I used to see him at old Garden State when I was too young to bet without assistance from friendly patrons. What do you say about someone this competitive and honest except you will miss him and the world is darker with him gone? He was at Saratoga several years ago helping a friend with a horse and I tried running after him to tell him how much I admired him. I never found him as he vanished in the crowd, perhaps just as well.
To everyone who cared about him you have my sincerest sympathy.
angela syros
December 10, 2007
You were the best and you will be missed.
RONALD AND DONALD BURLAS
December 6, 2007
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AT THIS TIME TO THE HARTACK FAMILY.
FROM THE TWIN JOCKEYS WHO RODE WITH BILL IN CHARLES TOWN WEST VIRGINIA
Steve Kweskin
December 3, 2007
Bill has been my favorite rider of all time since I saw him win his first Derby when I was a teenager. I got my picture with him at Centennial Race Track in Denver and he was very cordial. He was unique, as riders go, and will be missed. There will never be another Bill Hartack.
carolesuzanne sutton
December 2, 2007
My favorite jockey. I been a fan ,since childhood, and he will be missed.
Lynne Veitch
November 30, 2007
I read somewhere that you loved Majestic Prince as your favorite mount Bill. Two Triple Crowns slipped away from you but we know with just a shade more luck, they would have been yours. I'm sure you are with these great horses now. Thanks for all those memories. Lynne V.
Ann Walker
November 29, 2007
At the "64 KY Derby, wearing "high heels" in a $2.00 betting line was painful. Watching my horse, "the Dancer" run and win under the guiding hands of Bill Hartack was beautiful! That ride gave me a wonderful memory. Rest easy Bill Hartack!
Sam Munafo
November 29, 2007
I enjoyed many of Bill's wins at Garden State Park in New Jersey. This is where he really started his fabulous career. The song "I did it my way" could have been written for him. God rest his soul.
Tom Gugliuzza-Smith
November 29, 2007
My heartfelt sympathy to the Hartack family in the loss of Bill.
Joni Wojcik
November 29, 2007
I came upon the news of Mr. Hartacks passing on the Internet. Made me sad. We were friends during the 60's and 70's. I was a Playboy Bunny then and saw Bill race often. In spite of the fact that I haven't seen Bill in many years, I feel as though I have lost a dear friend. Joni
PAUL
November 29, 2007
HE WAS A DAMN GOOD RIDER. WON AND LOST WITH HIM, BUT STILL LIKED HIM ANYWAY...
Kristen
November 28, 2007
You have crossed the finish line of the greatest race and won the richest reward. May all your family members feel prayers, supports and cheers from equine lovers everywhere.
May you rest happily among of your horsey friends of heaven Mr. Hartack.
Simply a fan,
PHILIP TASCHEREAU
November 28, 2007
NORTHERN DANCER BABY !! OH YEH !!!
1964 KENTUCKY DERBY WAS THE 1ST HORSE RACE I EVER SAW ON TELEVISION.
THE DANCER PUNCHED HIS TICKET TO CHURCHILL DOWNS ALL SPRING LONG. HARTACK AND THE DANCER BEAT HILL RISE. THEY BEAT HIM AGAIN AT PIMLICO. ONLY TO FALL SHORT TO QUADRANGLE AT BELMONT. THE DANCER MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LITTLE TOO SMALL AND MAYBE A LITTLE TIRED THAT DAY. ELSE THE DANCER AND HARTACK GET THE TRIPLE CROWN. SOOOOO CLOSE BILL.
THANK YOU I LOVED IT.
November 28, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Bobbie Jo Duvall (Hack)
November 28, 2007
Hartack Family is my thoughts & prayers. R.I.P. Bill
Sheila Smith
November 28, 2007
A great jockey. Rest in Peace Bill.
D.L. ZIMMERMAN
November 28, 2007
REST IN PEACE, BILL HARTACK
C. S. DAVIS
November 28, 2007
MY MEMORIES OF BILL HARTACK AND THE KENTUCKY DERBY GO HAND IN HAND. MY FRIEND AND I STARTED GOING TO THE DERBY IN 1964. SHE WON WITH NORTHERN DANCER WITH HARTACK UP. THEN IN 1969 I HAD MY FIRST OFFICIAL WINNER WITH MAJESTIC PRINCE (WHAT A GORGEOUS HORSE) WITH HARTACK ABOARD. WE WATCHED HIM RACE MANY MORE YEARS, AT CHURCHILL AND ELSEWHERE. ALWAYS A COLORFUL CHARACTER, HE WILL BE MISSED!
ray interlandi
November 28, 2007
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Ken Anderson
November 27, 2007
I will never forget this great jockey,Bill and Eddie will alway remain in racing history. He is now riding those great horses in heaven.
Beverly Lawhorn Windscheffel
November 27, 2007
My parents brought me up on horse racing and I remember Arcaro, Shoemaker and Hartack more than the others. They are the super stars who will be forever in race track history. Thanks for the memories of all the great rides.
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