Brooks, Steve
Horse racing
b. Aug. 12, 1921, McCook, NE
d. Sept. 23, 1979
Known as "Cowboy Steve," Brooks grew up breaking and riding horses and became a professional jockey in 1938. He was the top money winner with $1,316,817 in 1949, when he rode Ponder to victory in the Kentucky Derby. Shortly afterward, he rode eight mounts at Churchill Downs, winning six races, placing second once, and placing third in the eighth race.
As a jockey for Calumet Farms, Brooks won the prestigious Hollywood Gold Cup aboard Citation in 1951 and was also the rider in Citation's final race, when the horse became the first in history to win more than $1 million.
He retired in 1970, but continued working with horses and made a brief comeback as a jockey in 1975. He died of injuries suffered when he was thrown by a horse he was exercising. In his 32-year career, Brooks won more than 4,000 races and his mounts had $18,214,947 in winnings.