Speakers Bureau - Eddie Delahoussaye

Born in New Iberia, Louisiana, "Eddie D" first rode in match races in bush tracks in that state, working his way to his first recognized race at the Fair Grounds in 1967. His first win came six months later at Evangeline Downs. He became the Midwest circuit's premier rider, winning titles at Fair Grounds, Arlington, Churchill Downs, and Keeneland. In 1978, he led North American riders with 384 wins, capped off with a win in the All Star Jockeys competition at Hollywood, a result which made him decide to move to Southern California where he had remained till retirement. He has won titles at Santa Anita (both winter and Oak Tree), Hollywood, and Del Mar.

He is only the fourth rider to win the Kentucky Derby in consecutive years, accomplishing the feat aboard Gato Del Sol in 1982 and Sunny's Halo in 1983. Five years later he captured the Preakness and Belmont aboard Risen Star. He has won seven Breeders' Cup races, including the 1992 Classic aboard A.P. Indy, and he has won back to back Pacific Classics aboard Tinners Way in 1994 and 1995. He may also be remembered for the big race he lost aboard The Bart in the inaugural Arlington Million, beaten a nose in the final stride by John Henry and jockey Bill Shoemaker.

His success earned him the George Woolf Memorial Award in 1981, a Hall of Fame induction in 1993, and last year an induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. He retires with 6,384 victories, 11th on the all-time win list, from 39,213 mounts, with earnings of $195,881,170, sixth all-time.

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