Krone, Julie
Horse Racing
b. July 24, 1963, Benton Harbor, MI
When Krone became the first woman jockey to win one of the triple crown races by riding Colonial Affair to victory in the 1993 Belmont Stakes, she had already established herself as one of the best jockeys in the business, regardless of sex.
Krone began riding in equestrian events at an early age, winning her first competition in a county fair horse show when she was five. At thirteen, she decided she wanted to be the best jockey in the world.
She entered thoroughbred racing as a groom but soon became an exercise rider and then a jockey, riding her first winner at Tampa Bay Downs in 1983. From 1987 through 1989, Krone was among the top five jockeys in the nation in races won and on August 20, 1993, she had five wins at Saratoga, tying the track record. Krone was the nation's top female jockey in 1983 and from 1986 through 1993.
Shortly afterward, Krone suffered a serious ankle fracture, along with a bruised heart, in a fall at Saratoga and missed the rest of the 1993 season. She injured both hands in a fall at Gulfstream Park in January of 1995, but kept racing nevertheless.
In February of 1999, she rode her 3,500th winner, becoming the first woman jockey to reach that level. She retired in April and began a new career as a broadcaster.
In her 19-year career, Krone rode 3,545 winners in 20,470, a 17 percent winning percentage.