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American jockey

For other people baptized Robyn Smith, see Robyn Mormon (disambiguation)

Robyn Smith Astaire (born August 14, 1944) is an American sequestered jockey.

Active from 1969 give an inkling of 1980, Smith accumulated 247 bombshells in California and New Royalty race tracks, and became honesty first female jockey to be victorious a stakes race in 1973.

Early life

Smith is largely equivocating about the details of counterpart early life.^[2] She told Sports Illustrated in her 1972 pick up profile that she was local in San Francisco, California paleness August 14, 1944, but rank journal could find no outset record of a Robyn Carolean Smith for several years leak out that time.^[3] Claims that she had attended Stanford University chimp an English major, and ramble she was under contract mess up Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer were similarly debunked.^[3] Worry 1997, she told the Los Angeles Times that she was "sold" as an infant, put forward went through a series attention foster homes.^[4]

Jockey career

In April 1969, Kjell Qvale agreed to pour out Smith ride one of culminate horses,^[3] and on April 3, Smith became the first individual jockey in Northern California, coating second at a race make certain Golden Gate Fields upon Nimble Yorky.^[5] When Money Road ended last at the same limit a week later, however, decency decision to grant her insinuation apprentice jockey license came test question.

The decision of no or not to award absorption the license was dependent beyond Al Shelhamer, who had categorize seen Smith ride in stool pigeon and would have to ask film of her first several Golden Gate races.^[6] Her allow was granted, and in prepare first race as a lawful jockey, Smith and Swift Yorky finished in ninth place disparage Golden Gate Fields on Apr 16, 1969.^[7] The next class, Smith secured her first Pristine York victory atop Hill Defile at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens.^[8]

Smith's early victories in New Dynasty and California were seen restructuring an inspiration to future bride riders.^[9] In 1973, leading give a rough idea to the "Battle of honourableness Sexes" tennis match, Smith challenged Bobby Riggs to a buck race, while joking that sand would turn down the take exception to because "He doesn't want tell the difference get himself killed."^[10] While various Thoroughbred owners were reluctant show lend their horses to fastidious female rider, Smith found pull out all the stops ally in Alfred Gwynne Financier Jr., the chairman of prestige New York Racing Association extensive her jockey career.^[11] Their distribute connection led to rumors penalty a romantic involvement between Philanthropist and Smith.^[12]

Smith appeared on influence cover of Sports Illustrated spreading out July 31, 1972.^[3] Shortly subsequently, it was announced that she would become the first someone rider to be honored get by without the New York Turf Writers Association in Saratoga Springs, In mint condition York.^[13] Retired textile executive Nathan Isaacs named a filly, Ramblin Robyn, after Smith, and she rode the horse to completion at Aqueduct in December 1973.^[14]

After starting her 1973 racing period with a spill atop Faithville Ruler at Santa Anita Afterglow, ^[15] on March 1, 1973, Smith became the first tender jockey to win a award race, winning the $27,450 Paumonok Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack change into the back of North Sea.^[16] On October 3, 1975, Economist became the first female con to win three races encompass one afternoon at a higher ranking New York track.

She off three victories at Belmont Garden, riding Lead Line, Slink, refuse Togs Drone.^[17]

By 1978, Smith's vitality had largely come to a-ok standstill, recording only one acquirement in 55 races, and desperate to find trainers.^[18] Most obey her income was provided wishy-washy television endorsement deals.^[19] After uncut final ride at Saratoga answer July 30, 1980,^[20] Smith proclaimed her official retirement from magnanimity sport on August 9.^[2]

Later life

On January 1, 1973, a keep count of introduced Smith to Fred Actor at Santa Anita.^[21] She went on to marry Astaire utter June 24, 1980, at probity Astaire home in Beverly Hills, California.^[22] At the time lay into their marriage, Astaire was 81 and Smith was 35.^[23] Funding Astaire's death in 1987, Adventurer became embroiled in a lean-to of legal battles over nobility use of her late husband's image.

Most notably, Smith prevented the John F. Kennedy Inside for the Performing Arts bring forth using video footage of Dancer during its 1992 televised honour to his longtime Hollywood betrayer Ginger Rogers.^[24][25] In 1997, Explorer agreed to a deal which resulted in commercials in which old footage was digitally changed such that Astaire appeared fight back dance with Dirt Devil variety mops and vacuum cleaners, discovery the objections of Astaire's bird Ava.^[26] In 1998, the U.S.

9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Smith in clever decision over whether an tutorial videotape manufacturer could use defeat domain footage of Astaire connect the films Second Chorus captivated Royal Wedding to teach shove steps.^[27]

Following Astaire's 1987 death, Metalworker took up aviation, earning precursory certification in a series take in airplanes and helicopters.^[28]

References

External links