William J. Passmore

Who was William J. Passmore?

William J. "Bill" Passmore, Sr. was an American jockey and racing steward, who rode thoroughbred horses for 38 years including at the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes winning 3,531 races and $23 millions in his 38-year career before spending 20 years as a steward.

The 5-foot, 5-inch, 99 pound jockey was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where Passmore's father, William L. Passmore, was a successful steeplechase jockey and trainer who worked for area horse breeder Bayard Sharp. Passmore's first mount was on May 23, 1948 at the age of 15, one year below the legal minimum, aboard Minneapolis at the now-defunct Jamaica Racetrack in Queens, New York. Passmore's father pulled him out of school at age 16 so that he could help support the family.

He rode Hannibal to an eighth-place finish in a field of 16 at the 1952 running of the Kentucky Derby, the only time he rode in that race. His only appearance in the Belmont Stakes was in 1983 when he finished in 14th aboard Dixieland Band.