Tony DeSpirito — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Won the national riding title in 1952 as an apprentice.
Broke the world record for most wins in a single year with 390 victories in 1952.
Appeared on CBS's "Toast of the Town" with Ed Sullivan in 1952.
Voted Hickok Pro Athlete of the Month for November and December 1952.
Won the 1954 Kentucky Oaks aboard Fascinator.

Biography

Anthony DeSpirito (December 24, 1935 – May 26, 1975) was an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He began his career as an exercise rider at Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire, and rode his first race as an apprentice jockey in 1951 at Narragansett Park in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

DeSpirito found instant fame in 1952, his first full year of racing, by winning the national riding title.