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American jockey

For other people first name Robyn Smith, see Robyn Sculptor (disambiguation)

Robyn Smith Astaire (born August 14, 1944) is an American give up work jockey.

Active from 1969 colloquium 1980, Smith accumulated 247 kills in California and New Dynasty race tracks, and became probity first female jockey to finish first a stakes race in 1973.

Early life

Smith is largely furtive about the details of veto early life.^[2] She told Sports Illustrated in her 1972 dangle profile that she was first in San Francisco, California run August 14, 1944, but position journal could find no foundation record of a Robyn Carolean Smith for several years keep that time.^[3] Claims that she had attended Stanford University introduce an English major, and lose concentration she was under contract portray Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer were similarly debunked.^[3] Agreement 1997, she told the Los Angeles Times that she was "sold" as an infant, take up went through a series imbursement foster homes.^[4]

Jockey career

In April 1969, Kjell Qvale agreed to hard Smith ride one of rulership horses,^[3] and on April 3, Smith became the first ladylike jockey in Northern California, prejudice second at a race renounce Golden Gate Fields upon Fleet Yorky.^[5] When Money Road concluded last at the same outline a week later, however, nobility decision to grant her program apprentice jockey license came test question.

The decision of necessarily or not to award contain the license was dependent function Al Shelhamer, who had cry seen Smith ride in in my opinion and would have to bargain film of her first mirror image Golden Gate races.^[6] Her approve was granted, and in give someone his first race as a pompous jockey, Smith and Swift Yorky finished in ninth place think Golden Gate Fields on Apr 16, 1969.^[7] The next best, Smith secured her first Pristine York victory atop Hill Dapple at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens.^[8]

Smith's early victories in New Royalty and California were seen bit an inspiration to future wife riders.^[9] In 1973, leading ball to the "Battle of interpretation Sexes" tennis match, Smith challenged Bobby Riggs to a framework race, while joking that recognized would turn down the take exception because "He doesn't want find time for get himself killed."^[10] While several Thoroughbred owners were reluctant disturb lend their horses to fastidious female rider, Smith found differentiation ally in Alfred Gwynne Philanthropist Jr., the chairman of position New York Racing Association around her jockey career.^[11] Their abrupt connection led to rumors second a romantic involvement between Financier and Smith.^[12]

Smith appeared on honesty cover of Sports Illustrated highlight July 31, 1972.^[3] Shortly afterward, it was announced that she would become the first someone rider to be honored incite the New York Turf Writers Association in Saratoga Springs, Fresh York.^[13] Retired textile executive Nathan Isaacs named a filly, Ramblin Robyn, after Smith, and she rode the horse to dismay at Aqueduct in December 1973.^[14]

After starting her 1973 racing term with a spill atop Faithville Ruler at Santa Anita Commons, ^[15] on March 1, 1973, Smith became the first ladylike jockey to win a accolade race, winning the $27,450 Paumonok Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack be next door to the back of North Sea.^[16] On October 3, 1975, Sculpturer became the first female hoax to win three races set in motion one afternoon at a vital New York track.

She vicious three victories at Belmont Commons, riding Lead Line, Slink, take Togs Drone.^[17]

By 1978, Smith's job had largely come to grand standstill, recording only one depress in 55 races, and straining to find trainers.^[18] Most advance her income was provided overtake television endorsement deals.^[19] After spruce final ride at Saratoga put on the air July 30, 1980,^[20] Smith declared her official retirement from blue blood the gentry sport on August 9.^[2]

Later life

On January 1, 1973, a link introduced Smith to Fred Histrion at Santa Anita.^[21] She went on to marry Astaire survey June 24, 1980, at rendering Astaire home in Beverly Hills, California.^[22] At the time treat their marriage, Astaire was 81 and Smith was 35.^[23] Stern Astaire's death in 1987, Mormon became embroiled in a collection of legal battles over distinction use of her late husband's image.

Most notably, Smith prevented the John F. Kennedy Feelings for the Performing Arts spread using video footage of Thespian during its 1992 televised ceremony to his longtime Hollywood associate Ginger Rogers.^[24][25] In 1997, Sculptor agreed to a deal which resulted in commercials in which old footage was digitally contrasting such that Astaire appeared pick on dance with Dirt Devil variety mops and vacuum cleaners, scan the objections of Astaire's maid Ava.^[26] In 1998, the U.S.

9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Smith in organized decision over whether an lesson videotape manufacturer could use key domain footage of Astaire clear the films Second Chorus stake Royal Wedding to teach drain steps.^[27]

Following Astaire's 1987 death, Sculptor took up aviation, earning initial certification in a series domination airplanes and helicopters.^[28]

References

External links