Julie Krone

Biography

Julie Krone made racing history on multiple occasions during her exceptional career in the irons. 

A Michigan native, Krone became the first woman to win a riding title at a major racetrack in 1987, beginning a run of championships at Monmouth Park, Meadowlands, and Atlantic City, then later at Gulfstream Park and the spring meeting at Belmont Park.

In 1993, Krone became the first woman to ride the winner of an American Triple Crown event, piloting Colonial Affair to win the 125th running of the Belmont Stakes.

Krone's trailblazing accomplishments were recognized with another first when she became the first woman inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. Krone followed that in 2003 by becoming the first woman to win a Breeders’ Cup race, riding Alain and Gerard Wertheimer’s Halfbridled to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Krone retired from riding in early 2004 after winning 3,704 races, while her mounts earned purses totaling more than $90 million. In addition to Colonial Affair and Halfbridled, the best-known of Krone’s runners included champion Rubiano, Hall of Famers Safely Kept and Housebuster, and the major stakes winners Candy Ride, Tale of the Cat, Peaks and Valleys, Da Hoss, Sweet Return, Redatorre, Lite the Fuse, Royal Mountain Inn, and Classy Mirage.

Krone’s collection of major victories also included the Man o’ War, Hollywood Derby, Sword Dancer Invitational, Molson Million, Arlington Classic, Vosburgh Stakes, Carter Handicap, Diana Handicap, Del Mar Futurity, Oak Leaf Stakes, Fountain of Youth, Malibu Stakes, Del Mar Debutante, two runnings each of the Shadwell Turf Mile and Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, and three editions of the Jersey Derby.

Krone has been honored outside the racing world as well. She is a member of the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Texas, the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, and the National Women’s Hall of Fame in New York. She also received the 1993 ESPY Award as Female Athlete of the Year, the 2001 Wilma Rudolph Courage Award from the Women’s Sports Foundation, and the 2016 Amelia Earhart Pioneering Achievement Award. Krone and the famous aviator share the same July 24 birthdate.

Achievements

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1993 Belmont Stakes — Colonial Affair

Breeders' Cup Highlights

Won the 2003 Juvenile Fillies — Halfbridled 

Other Highlights

Won the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup — 1992, 1994
Won the Shadwell Turf Mile — 1995, 1996
Won the Man o' War Stakes — 1994
Won the Hollywood Derby — 2003
Won the Pacific Classic — 2003