Speakers Bureau - Julie Krone

Julie Krone has made an impact far beyond the world of Thoroughbred racing. Her name is synonymous with the idea that women can succeed going head-to-head against their male counterparts in a world-class professional sport. She proved it with a Hall of Fame career that lasted nearly 20 seasons and featured 3,704 victories.

Krone was born in the western Michigan town of Eau Claire. She began her official racing career at Tampa Bay Downs in 1981, then made a splash as an apprentice on the Maryland circuit before moving on to New Jersey and New York. She capped her career riding in California in late 2002 and 2003, where her list of victories also included the Malibu Stakes, the Pacific Classic, the Hollywood Derby, the Pomona Derby and both the Del Mar Futurity and Debutante.

In addition to being the first woman to ride a Breeders' Cup winner on the internationally television championship day, Krone was the first woman jockey to win a Triple Crown race, and the first woman to win riding titles at Belmont Park, Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, the Meadowlands and Atlantic City. In August of 2000, she became the first woman elected to the Thoroughbred racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

In 1993, Krone was recognized by the Women's Sports Foundation as the Individual Sportswoman of the Year, and was chosen by the ESPN television network as Professional Female Athlete of the Year. In 1999 she was honored with induction into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas. And in 2002, she was named by USA Today as one of the 10 Toughest Athletes on a list that included Lance Armstrong, Shaquille O'Neal and Tiger Woods.

As an inspirational public speaker, Krone has addressed such diverse audiences as the American Association of Psychologists, the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America, and the San Diego County Fair. In May of 2001 she married Daily Racing Form columnist Jay Hovdey, and in September of 2005 she gave birth to their daughter, Lorelei Judith Krone.

Return to Speakers Bureau