Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winning jockey Pat Day has been named to the Hall of Outstanding Americans by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum.
The Hall of Outstanding Americans demonstrates wrestling’s pride in those who have used the disciplines of the sport to launch notable careers in other walks of life, such as science and technology, business and industry, government and the military, the arts and humanities, among others. New classes of these remarkable achievers are inducted annually.
Day, of Louisville, Ky., is one of the greatest professional jockeys in history, and was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1991. In 2005, after a 32-year riding career, he announced his retirement after winning 8,804 races, fourth on the all-time list. He earned an estimated $297,941,912 through racing, and passed the retired Chris McCarron as the all-time earnings leader in 2002.
He won the 1992 Kentucky Derby aboard Lil E. Tee and was a runner-up at the Kentucky Derby four times. He has won the Preakness (gr. I) five times, the Belmont (gr. I) three times and 12 Breeder’s Cup races.
As a wrestler at Eagle Valley High School in Gypsum, Colo., Day posted a career record of 77-7. Four of Day’s seven losses came during his freshman campaign. As a sophomore and a senior, he finished as the state’s runner-up. Day capped his wrestling career with a state championship as a junior.
He now spends his time working with the Race Track Chaplaincy of America.
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