Hanford, oldest Kentucky Derby winning jockey, dies at 91

Last updated: 11/25/09 11:09 AM

Ira “Babe” Hanford, who won the 1936 Kentucky Derby aboard Bold Venture,
passed away on Saturday in Ocala, Florida, after a lengthy illness. He was 91.

Hanford was the oldest living Kentucky Derby-winning jockey and was the first
apprentice to win the “Run for the Roses.”

Ira “Babe” Hanford met Heavyweight boxing
champion Jim Braddock at Suffolk Downs in 1935
(Photo courtesy of Suffolk Downs)

One of 10 children, Hanford grew up in Fairbury, Nebraska, and followed his
two brothers to the East Coast to become a jockey. His oldest brother “Buddy”
died after sustaining a head injury in a race at Pimlico Race Course in
1933. His brother Carl, now 93, is the Hall of Fame trainer best known for
training five-time Horse of the Year Kelso.

A leading rider at Suffolk Downs in East Boston, Ira Hanford met heavyweight
champion Jim Braddock, subject of the film “Cinderella Man,” in 1935. A famous
photograph shows them shaking hands, Braddock towering over the young jockey.
Hanford went on to serve in the U.S. military during World War II, and
eventually retired from long careers as both a jockey and trainer.

He made his lone Kentucky Derby start aboard Bold Venture, a 20-1 longshot
trained by Max Hirsch, and never returned to Churchill Downs until 70 years
later for the 2006 Kentucky Derby (G1).

“Babe and I enjoyed celebrating the 70th anniversary of his winning ride by
attending the 2006 Kentucky Derby,” said Virginia “Ginny” Hanford, his wife of
67 years.

In addition to his wife and brother, Hanford is survived by his two sons
Glenn and Gary and numerous nieces and nephews, including trainer Gail Hanford.

A private funeral is scheduled for Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family
has requested that a donation be made to the Kentucky Derby Museum to help its
recovery from August flood damage.