Jockeys Guild Protests Shoemakers Suspension: Says Ruling for His Derby Ride Establishes Dangerous Precedent, Daily Racing Form, 1957-05-13

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Jockeys Guild Protests Shoemakers Suspension Says Ruling for His Derby Ride EstablishesDangerous Precedent JAMAICA, L. I.. N. Y., May 11. — The Jockeys Guild today protested the 15-day suspension handed Willie Shoemaker by the Churchill Downs stewards, declaring that "a dangerous precedent has been established." In a statement released by Sterling Young, secretary and eastern manager of the Guild, the directors of the riders group said they are "apprehensive that this could lead to many unjustified suspensions in the future." Shoemaker was suspended Monday for misjudging the finish line in last Saturdays Kentucky Derby while riding Gallant Man. The text of the Jockeys Guild statement on the matter follows: "The Jockeys Guild wishes to go on record as protesting the unprecedented penalty levied upon jockey Willie Shoemaker for his ride in the Kentucky Derby. Willie made an honest mistake. He did not try to make excuses and admitted he had erred in judging the finish line. No suspension can hurt him as much as the knowledge that his error cost him his second Derby. "Like the gentleman he is, Willie has made no protest but the directors of the Jockeys Guild feel that a dangerous precedent has been established. They are apprehensive that this could lead to many unjustified suspensions in the future. "One of the objects of the Jockeys Guild is to further honor, integrity and courtesy among jockeys. Each member is requested to cooperate with stewards and racing officials. When the riders see a jockey severely penalized for telling the truth, they can well wonder if it is worthwhile to Ha «n ctrQLJghtfnrwftrri "


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1957051301/drf1957051301_62_2
Local Identifier: drf1957051301_62_2
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800