Canada’s Great Jockey - Sandy Hawley

While the focus in horse racing often centres around the iconic U.S. Triple Crown races—the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes—and the prestigious year-end championship, the Breeders' Cup, it is important not to overlook the remarkable career of jockey Sandy Hawley. Despite not claiming victory in any of these renowned races, Hawley's accomplishments are both numerous and noteworthy, firmly establishing him as one of the greatest jockeys in the sport's history.

His list of accomplishments is truly remarkable, both in terms of quantity and significance, ensuring that his legacy remains indelibly etched among the sport's legendary figures.

Youth and First Victory

Desmond Sanford "Sandy" Hawley, born in April 1949 in Oshawa, Ontario, made a significant career change at a young age. While working as a hot-walker for horses at a racetrack in Toronto at the age of 17, Hawley decided to pursue a career as a jockey instead of becoming a plumber. Under the guidance of trainer Duke Campbell, who employed him as a groom and hot-walker, Hawley developed his skills and considered Campbell as one of his most influential mentors. During this time, he earned a modest income of $73 per week. However, within a few years, his earnings soared to $250,000 annually.

Hawley's talent quickly gained attention when he was 19 years old. His first victory occurred on October 14, 1968, riding Fly Alone, a horse owned by Tom Hays and trained by Campbell. Throughout that fall, he won three more races, which set the stage for his remarkable achievement in 1969. At just 20 years old, he became North America's leading apprentice jockey by riding 230 winners. He continued to excel in subsequent years, leading in the number of races won in 1970, 1972, 1973, and 1976. In 1973, Hawley made history by becoming the first jockey to win 500 races in a single season, surpassing Bill Shoemaker's previously unbeatable record of 485 victories.

One of three

Hawley's accomplishments extend beyond his exceptional race wins. He holds the distinction of being one of only three jockeys to win the Queen's Plate, a prestigious horse race in Canada, four times. His victories came aboard Almoner (1970), Kennedy Road (1971), L'Enjoleur (1975), and Regal Embrace (1978). Additionally, he triumphed in the Canadian Oaks, a premier race for fillies, a remarkable eight times, five of which were consecutive wins. Hawley also achieved success on an international level, winning the esteemed Washington International in Laurel, Maryland in both 1975 and 1976, as well as securing two victories in the Canadian International in 1976 and 1979.

1976 can be considered the pinnacle of Sandy Hawley's remarkable career. During that year, he achieved extraordinary milestones that solidified his status as an exceptional jockey. He was awarded the prestigious Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in the United States, an accolade earned after he shattered the all-time record for single-year earnings in Thoroughbred racing. In recognition of his achievements, he also received the George Woolf Memorial Award and was honoured with his second Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's top athlete (the first being in 1973). In 1978, he further solidified his position by winning a Sovereign Award as Canada's most outstanding jockey.

Homecoming

Following his successful tenure in the United States, Hawley spent ten years racing in California before permanently returning to Canada in 1988 to compete at Woodbine, a renowned racetrack. Adding to his illustrious career, he was bestowed with the Order of Canada, a prestigious honour recognising his exceptional accomplishments as a Canadian citizen.

Throughout his extensive career, characterised by numerous victories in thousands of races, Hawley earned the respect and admiration of those within the racing industry. In 1992, he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga, New York. Joe Hirsch, the chair of the Award Committee, praised Hawley not only for his remarkable success as a rider but also for his exemplary conduct and embodiment of the highest standards of his profession. Hirsch highlighted Hawley's grace under pressure and accentuated that he enjoyed the admiration of the entire racing community.

Numbers matter

Sandy Hawley's career earnings exceeded a remarkable $88.6 million, solidifying his status as one of the most accomplished jockeys of his generation. He ultimately retired on July 1, 1998, with an impressive record of 6,449 victories out of 31,455 mounts.

He grew increasingly frustrated by the fact that he had participated in exactly 6,449 races. It bothered him that the number wasn't a nice, round figure. However, after ten years, Hawley decided to make a one-time comeback and compete in the Living Legends race at Santa Anita Park in California. This race was unique because it featured renowned retired jockeys who were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Some of Hawley's fellow competitors included Angel Cordero Jr., Jacinto Vasquez, Julie Krone, Pat Day, Chris McCarron, Jerry Bailey, and Gary Stevens. Together, they had an impressive record of over 49,000 wins and more than $2 billion in prize money.

On October 18, 2008, at the age of 59, Hawley rode Tribal Chief, the favoured horse owned by musician and record producer Herb Alpert and his brother David Alpert, to a remarkable victory of six and a half lengths. This win allowed Hawley to reach an even number of victories, a total of 6,450.

In recognition of his achievements, Hawley received several prestigious awards. In 1986, he was honoured with Woodbine's Avelino Gomez Memorial Award and was later inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1992. In the same year, he was also inducted into the US National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. In 1998, he was further honoured by being inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Additionally, in 1999, he became a member of the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, and the Sandy Hawley Award is presented annually by the organisation to an individual who demonstrates exceptional commitment to the community.

Regardless, one of his most significant victories extended beyond horse racing. In 1987, Hawley received a diagnosis of aggressive skin cancer. He courageously battled melanoma by undergoing experimental treatments, adopting a high-fibre diet, and relying on his sheer determination, which is a defining characteristic of his personality.

Today, Hawley serves as a racing ambassador for the Woodbine Entertainment Group and has pursued a career as a racing analyst, providing insights for The Score and CKXT-TV's horse racing coverage.