Diane Crump, who made history as the first female professional jockey in 1969 and the first woman to compete in the Kentucky Derby the following year, has passed away at the age of 77. Diagnosed with a severe brain tumor in October, she died Thursday night in hospice care in Winchester, Virginia, according to her daughter, Della Payne.
Crump’s groundbreaking career began at Hialeah Park, Florida, on February 7, 1969, where she broke barriers despite resistance from male jockeys, some of whom boycotted the race. She went on to win 228 races, retiring in 1998 just before turning 50. Early in her career, Crump often faced challenges finding trainers willing to enter her into races, and she dealt with hostility from male competitors.
Her iconic debut at Hialeah drew large crowds, with security needed to protect her, and several jockeys refusing to ride, including future legends like Angel Cordero Jr. and Ron Turcotte. The traditional call to post was replaced by a bugler playing a special tune, “Smile for Me, My Diane,” as she entered. Although she finished 10th riding the long shot horse Bridle and Bit, she soon won her first race a month later at Gulfstream Park.
In 1970, Crump broke another glass ceiling by becoming the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby. She won the opening race at Churchill Downs that day but finished 15th in the Derby aboard Fathom. It took 14 years for another female jockey to compete in the Derby again, with only a handful following over the next decades.
Churchill Downs President Mike Anderson praised Crump as a pioneering icon who lived her childhood dreams and had been riding since she was five. Kentucky Derby Museum’s Chris Goodlett highlighted her courage, tenacity, and the inspiration she provided for women jockeys and beyond.
After retiring, Crump lived in Virginia where she ran a horse trading business. She also devoted time to visiting hospital patients with her therapy dachshunds, offering comfort to those with chronic illnesses. Her daughter described her as stubborn but deeply reliable, someone who never accepted “no” and never let people down. Crump carried the words “kindness” and “compassion” tattooed on her forearms.
Diane Crump will be cremated, with her ashes interred at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Front Royal, Virginia, next to her parents.
Fan Take: Diane Crump’s legacy is a powerful reminder of how breaking barriers can reshape the sport of horse racing and expand opportunities for future generations. Her courage and trailblazing spirit continue to inspire not just jockeys but fans and athletes across the sporting world.
