Darrel McHargue
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Leading American jockey Darrel McHargue was born on September 26, 1954, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. One of five children from a family not connected to horse racing, he was introduced to riding in his early teens when he rode a neighbour’s Quarter Horse.
Leading American jockey Darrel McHargue was born on September 26, 1954, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. One of five children from a family not connected to horse racing, he was introduced to riding in his early teens when he rode a neighbour’s Quarter Horse.
He was seventeen years old when he made his professional debut in 1972 at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. He was very soon among the winners and the following year saw him crowned the leading rider at Laurel Park, in Maryland.
He was seventeen years old when he made his professional debut in 1972 at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. He was very soon among the winners and the following year saw him crowned the leading rider at Laurel Park, in Maryland.
In 1975 he achieved the most important win of his career when riding Master Derby to victory in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the US Triple Crown.
In 1975 he achieved the most important win of his career when riding Master Derby to victory in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the US Triple Crown.
In 1978 he was America’s leading money-winning jockey with a record $6,188,353 and was the recipient of the Eclipse Award as the United States’ Outstanding Jockey.
In 1978 he was America’s leading money-winning jockey with a record $6,188,353 and was the recipient of the Eclipse Award as the United States’ Outstanding Jockey.
Beginning in 1980, Darrel rode the great John Henry in eleven races, their wins including the San Juan Capistrano Handicap, Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap, San Gabriel Handicap, San Luis Rey Handicap and San Marcos Stakes.
Beginning in 1980, Darrel rode the great John Henry in eleven races, their wins including the San Juan Capistrano Handicap, Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap, San Gabriel Handicap, San Luis Rey Handicap and San Marcos Stakes.
In 1983, Darrel moved to Europe where he rode for various trainers including Dermot Weld and Luca Cumani. He was the regular rider of Ivan Allan’s dolt Commanche Run and was scheduled to ride him in the 1984 St Leger, only to be replaced by Lester Piggott who had persuaded the owner to let him have the mount. He duly won. Darrel returned home to Pasadena, California soon after.
In 1983, Darrel moved to Europe where he rode for various trainers including Dermot Weld and Luca Cumani. He was the regular rider of Ivan Allan’s dolt Commanche Run and was scheduled to ride him in the 1984 St Leger, only to be replaced by Lester Piggott who had persuaded the owner to let him have the mount. He duly won. Darrel returned home to Pasadena, California soon after.
He retired from riding in early April 1988, having ridden 2,553 winners in America. He began a new career a few weeks later as a racing official. In 1994, he graduated from the Racing Officials Accreditation Program. He worked at the Northern California tracks and in 2005 was appointed a race steward at Hollywood Park.
He retired from riding in early April 1988, having ridden 2,553 winners in America. He began a new career a few weeks later as a racing official. In 1994, he graduated from the Racing Officials Accreditation Program. He worked at the Northern California tracks and in 2005 was appointed a race steward at Hollywood Park.
His big wins in Britain/Ireland included:
His big wins in Britain/Ireland included:
1984: Dee Stakes – Trial By Error
1984: Dee Stakes – Trial By Error
1984: Britannia Stakes – Torwar
1984: Britannia Stakes – Torwar
1984: March Stakes – Commanche Run
1984: March Stakes – Commanche Run
1984: Virginia Stakes = Free Guest
1984: Virginia Stakes = Free Guest
1984: Sun Chariot Stakes – Free Guest
1984: Sun Chariot Stakes – Free Guest
1984: Jockey Club Cup – Old Country
1984: Jockey Club Cup – Old Country
1984: Irish St Leger – Opale
1984: Irish St Leger – Opale