The Belmont Stakes of 1993 marked a milestone in Thoroughbred racing when Julieann Louise Krone guided Colonial Affair to victory. This win established her as the first female jockey to capture a Triple Crown race. Throughout a career defined by resilience and technical precision, she broke barriers at major tracks across the United States, competing directly against the sport’s most established male professionals.
Early Career and Professional Development
Raised in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Krone developed early equestrian skills as a show horse competitor. Following the career path of Steve Cauthen, she turned to professional racing in 1981. Her debut occurred on January 30 at Tampa Bay Downs aboard Tiny Star, followed by her first win on February 12 riding Lord Farkle. Her rapid ascent included achieving riding championships at Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, The Meadowlands, Atlantic City Race Course, and Belmont Park, becoming the only woman to secure titles at each venue.
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Krone maintained a high profile through the 1980s and 1990s, featuring on the cover of Sports Illustrated on May 22, 1989. Her broadcast work and television appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno elevated her status. In 1993, the same year she secured her Belmont win, she received the ESPY Award as Female Athlete of the Year. She documented her experiences in the 1995 autobiography, Riding for My Life.
Return to Racing and Later Achievements
After a brief retirement in 1999, Krone returned to the track in 2002. Despite suffering back fractures, she led the 2003 Del Mar jockeys in purse earnings. That year, she rode Halfbridled to victory at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, becoming the first woman to win a Breeders' Cup race. A fall at Hollywood Park in December 2003 resulted in severe injuries, effectively ending her competitive career by 2004.
Legacy and Hall of Fame Induction
Krone holds a distinct place in racing history, marked by her 2000 induction as the first woman in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Her honors extend to the National Women's Hall of Fame, the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. In 2018, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame unveiled a bronze statue in her likeness.
Fast facts
- Born: July 24, 1963, Benton Harbor, Michigan
- Professional Debut: January 30, 1981, Tampa Bay Downs
- Belmont Stakes Winner: 1993
- Breeders' Cup Winner: 2003
- First female jockey inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame: 2000
- Spouse: Jay Hovdey
- Daughter: Lorelei Judith Krone
- Awards: 1993 ESPY Female Athlete of the Year
Questions readers ask
What major races did Julie Krone win?
She won the Belmont Stakes in 1993 and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2003.
When did Julie Krone retire from professional racing?
She retired officially for the first time in 1999, returned in 2002, and concluded her competitive racing career following injuries in 2004.
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