Pat Day
Birth Date: 10/13/1953
Biographical Information
Patrick Alan “Pat” Day was born 13 October 1953 in Brush, Colorado to Mickey and Carol Vietneier Day. Day grew up on Lake Creek west of Edwards in Eagle County, Colorado. In 1971, Day graduated from Eagle Valley High School (EVHS). He had a stellar high school wrestling career as evidenced by his 77 wins to 7 losses. In 1970, Day was the Colorado Class A State Champion (98# weight class). In 1969 and 1971, Day was the Class A State Runner-up. As an Eagle County youth, Pat Day skied, skated, horse-packed, and rode broncs and bulls in area rodeos.
After giving the pro rodeo circuit a shot, Day acquired his first contract as a professional jockey at Prescott Downs in Prescott, Arizona in 1973. Known as “Patient Pat” due to his riding style, Day accumulated 8803 career wins. He became the U.S. Champion Jockey by wins (1982 – 1984, 1986, 1990, 1991) and U.S. Champion Jockey by earnings (1999, 2000). Among his numerous wins are nine American Classic Race wins (aka the Triple Crown: Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes) including the 1992 Kentucky Derby astride Lil E. Tee. Additionally, Day earned twelve Breeders’ Cup wins. Siblings Mike Day and Debby Day Gabriel were also professional jockeys.
Pat Day noted that his parents gave him and his siblings “a rock-solid foundation” in life. In his Vail Valley Voices oral history interview, Day declared that his father, Mickey Day, gave him an excellent introduction to horsemanship. The elder Day “was an auto body man” who “maintained a ranch” and broke and trained horses for ranching neighbors. Day also credits his wrestling coaches, including longtime Eagle resident and retired EVHS teacher George McCollum, with instilling him with healthy competitive values. Day commended Eagle County 4-H programs for teaching him crucial life and people skills, such as how to be responsible, as well as the importance of caring for, and respecting, animals.
In 1979, Pat Day married Sheila Johnson and the couple has a daughter named Irene. Day’s many honors include the 1985 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, which is bestowed upon a North American jockey who demonstrates the “highest standards of professional and personal conduct,” and the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1991. Day was named to the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1991. In 2001, Day was named to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame; he is also a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Pat Day retired on 3 August 2005. Day is currently devoted to Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy and hosts an annual Race for Grace during Kentucky Derby Week.
After giving the pro rodeo circuit a shot, Day acquired his first contract as a professional jockey at Prescott Downs in Prescott, Arizona in 1973. Known as “Patient Pat” due to his riding style, Day accumulated 8803 career wins. He became the U.S. Champion Jockey by wins (1982 – 1984, 1986, 1990, 1991) and U.S. Champion Jockey by earnings (1999, 2000). Among his numerous wins are nine American Classic Race wins (aka the Triple Crown: Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes) including the 1992 Kentucky Derby astride Lil E. Tee. Additionally, Day earned twelve Breeders’ Cup wins. Siblings Mike Day and Debby Day Gabriel were also professional jockeys.
Pat Day noted that his parents gave him and his siblings “a rock-solid foundation” in life. In his Vail Valley Voices oral history interview, Day declared that his father, Mickey Day, gave him an excellent introduction to horsemanship. The elder Day “was an auto body man” who “maintained a ranch” and broke and trained horses for ranching neighbors. Day also credits his wrestling coaches, including longtime Eagle resident and retired EVHS teacher George McCollum, with instilling him with healthy competitive values. Day commended Eagle County 4-H programs for teaching him crucial life and people skills, such as how to be responsible, as well as the importance of caring for, and respecting, animals.
In 1979, Pat Day married Sheila Johnson and the couple has a daughter named Irene. Day’s many honors include the 1985 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, which is bestowed upon a North American jockey who demonstrates the “highest standards of professional and personal conduct,” and the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1991. Day was named to the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1991. In 2001, Day was named to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame; he is also a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Pat Day retired on 3 August 2005. Day is currently devoted to Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy and hosts an annual Race for Grace during Kentucky Derby Week.
Notes
Notes
Photography by Barbara D. Livingston. Pat Day at Belmont Park. September 1989.
More Details
Item PID:
person:16307
Family Name:
Day
Given Name:
Patrick
Middle Name:
Alan