Diane Crump, who made history as the first female professional jockey in 1969 and the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby in 1970, has passed away at the age of 77. Diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor in October, Crump died Thursday night at a hospice in Winchester, Virginia, according to her daughter Della Payne.
Crump’s groundbreaking career began with her debut ride at Hialeah Park, Florida, on February 7, 1969. Over nearly three decades, she secured 228 race wins before retiring in 1998, just shy of her 50th birthday. Though obtaining a jockey’s license was a victory for women at the time, they still faced challenges finding trainers willing to race them. Male jockeys sometimes threatened boycotts to keep women off the track.
Photos from Crump’s first race show her under heavy security amid a crowd’s intense reaction. Several top jockeys refused to compete alongside her, including future legends like Angel Cordero Jr., Jorge Velasquez, and Ron Turcotte, who later famously rode Secretariat to a Triple Crown victory. Despite this, others stepped up, and as the race began, the traditional call to post was replaced by a special tune, “Smile for Me, My Diane.” Riding a 50-1 long shot named Bridle and Bit, Crump finished 10th and broke a major barrier. A month later, she earned her first win on that same horse at Gulfstream Park.
In 1970, Crump made history again as the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby. She won the first race of the day at Churchill Downs but finished 15th in the Derby itself riding Fathom. No other female jockey would ride in the Derby for another 14 years.
Churchill Downs President Mike Anderson praised Crump as an iconic pioneer who achieved her childhood dreams. Chris Goodlett from the Kentucky Derby Museum said her legacy symbolizes courage, determination, and progress, inspiring countless women inside and outside horse racing.
After retiring, Crump lived in Virginia and ran a business helping with horse trades. She also dedicated time to visiting hospital patients with her therapy dachshunds, offering comfort to those with chronic illnesses. Her daughter noted Crump’s persistent spirit, saying she never accepted “no” and was driven by kindness and compassion—values she even had tattooed on her forearms.
Crump will be cremated, with her ashes interred at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Front Royal, Virginia.
Fan Take: Diane Crump’s journey was more than just breaking gender barriers—it reshaped the landscape of horse racing, proving that determination and talent know no gender. Her legacy will continue to inspire both current and future generations of jockeys, pushing the sport toward greater inclusivity and equality.
