On DVD or VHS: A lost classic documentary on the life of the legendary jockey, WILLIE SHOEMAKER

In forty years of racing on top tracks in the country, BILL SHOEMAKER has entered the winner's circle nearly 9,000 times and had brought an incredible 50% of his mounts home first, second or third. In March, 1985, he became the first jockey ever to surpass the $100 million mark in prizes. This is the rags-to-riches tale of BILL SHOEMAKER, one of the most beloved, talented and talked-about athletes of modern times; an up-close and personal look on his life and career...the trials and triumphs...adventures and misadventures that made him the preeminent superstar of the racing world.

Highlights include races with SWAPS, ROUND TABLE, GALLANT MAN, OLDEN TIMES, FOREGO, SPECTACULAR BID, and FERDINAND; scenes of him exercising horses - a beautiful segment is shown of SHOEMAKER working FIDDLE ISLE one morning; countdowns and milestones in his assault on JOHNNY LONGDEN's race win record of 6,032 races (the world's then winningest race rider); his bitter loss aboard GALLANT MAN in the 1957 Kentucky Derby when he misjudged the finish line. We also experience the agonizing pain of accidents and defeats: his 1968 track spill at Santa Anita and his year-long rehabilitation before a comeback; the freak accident at Hollywood Park in 1969 which was life threatening - a fractured pelvis, ruptured bladder and paralyzed left leg...two horrific accidents within a 15-month period. But. "THE SHOE", wasn't willing to hang it up just yet - his will to ride was too strong...as the years rolled on, "THE SHOE", kept racking up more statistics and victories until the mid 1980's when his career began to wind down.

WILLIE SHOEMAKER spent 1989 saying goodbye to his fans in a year-long farewell tour like none other in the history of sports; he traveled to 47 racetracks in 25 states and to twelve different countries. The world tour and "THE LEGEND's" career came to an end on February 3, 1990, at Santa Anita. Watch touching footage as, "THE SHOE", prepares to take his final bow; he couldn't help to be caught up in a rush of memories of the six decades he had ridden to the post. During the past 40 years, this remarkable athlete had ridden half of the horses enshrined in racing's Hall of Fame and eight Horse-of-the-Year winners. On this day over 64,000 fans turned out at Santa Anita and miolions more watched on national television as the 58-year-old legend said farewell. The emotion for the usually unemotional SHOEMAKER could not be contained. A fascinating look back at the colorful and thrilling life of WILLIE SHOEMAKER and the sport that he epitomized can be yours!

AS AN ADDED BONUS...over an hour of mini-segments of rare footage of racing's most recognizable face - THE SHOE are shown in addition to a tribute and final farewell at his memorial service ceremony held in the Santa Anita winner's circle where family, friends and fans from all over gathered to share fond memories and tears of the man they all loved...the great WILLIE SHOEMAKER.
 

2 Hours.

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