Diane Crump: A Horse-Racing Pioneer's Life in the Saddle

by Mark Shrager

In 1968, a few women, mockingly labeled “jockettes” by a skeptical press, had begun demanding the right to apply for jockey licenses, citing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned discrimination in hiring based on race, religion, sex, or national origin. Most of their applications were rejected by racing’s bureaucracy, which alleged that women were unqualified to participate due to “physical limitations” and “emotional instability.” Female jockeys who attempted to ride met with boycotts by male jockeys.

Onto this uneven terrain stepped 20-year-old Diane Crump, who had long since demonstrated her riding proficiency during a thousand workout rides on a thousand difficult Thoroughbreds (“I basically got on all the horses that no one else wanted to ride"). On February 7, 1969, having been granted a permit to ride at Florida’s Hialeah Racetrack, Crump, surrounded by a protective phalanx of police officers, walked calmly toward the saddling enclosure as she endured heckles from the crowd. Diane’s mount would not earn victory that day, but the young rider had earned a more fundamental the right to compete in her chosen field. Just over a year later, on May 2, 1970, after 95 years and 1,055 all-male entrants, Diane Crump shattered tradition by becoming the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby. Over her career she amassed 235 wins.



InDiane A Life in the Saddle, veteran turf writer Mark Shrager relies on Crump's own narrative, magazine and newspaper coverage, and numerous first-hand interviews to tell the story of an extraordinary athlete's life and career.

Genres: Horses, Sports

248 pages, Hardcover

Published May 1, 2020

Reviews

[Jacques Van Landuyt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book in my opinion was a very well written biography on not only Diane's life but on the happenings in the world at the time. This way the reader can relate to all the obstacles that she ( and other women) were facing at the time. This I know for a fact as I am just slightly younger than Diane is herself and remember all the events of the times. The book flows and is a very easy to read. I collect and read mainly Thoroughbred Racing and related books and am extremely happy to have this one in my collection. I highly recommend this to anyone whether you are interested in horse racing or not, as it is a great book on understanding the times and struggles of women and particularly this woman. I have over 200 Thoroughbred books in my collection and this one is one of my personal highest rated books.

[Linda Shantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book about a trailblazing woman in one of the most demanding professions in the world. Diane Crump is an icon, having helped pave the way for women in the world of Thoroughbred racing, but what I loved most about this biography was that her humility and love of the animals shone through. Anyone — not just horse people — will enjoy her story, and gain an appreciation for just how tough and resilient women in this sport are.

[Tammy Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Herstory as we seldom see it. Helen Crump passed away this past week.

I would have liked to have been around to see her ride. The writing of the description of the backside of the tracks is accurate to what I understand. I understand men and women are different, have different strengths but are able to use their talents in different ways to make up for differences. Why do men seem to have such a problem understanding that?

[Christine Meunier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow.