Robert Lee Baird (November 17, 1920 - December 16, 2005) was an Americanjockey andtrainer inThoroughbredhorse racing and a decorated soldier who served withGeneral Patton’sThird Army inWorld War II with which he landed onUtah Beach onD Day.[3]
Robert Lee Baird was often referred to as "Bobby" and usually recorded in racing sheets as R. L. Baird. His career began in 1937 but would be interrupted for three and a half years of wartime military service during which he was awarded fourPurple Hearts. It ended with his retirement in 1982 with 3,749 career wins.[4] For the final three years in racing, Baird worked as a trainer and then as an agent for his son, jockey Edward Thomas Baird who was often recorded as E. T. Baird.[5]
Baird rode in theKentucky Derby five times, the last coming in 1978 which made the then fifty-seven-year-old the oldest jockey ever to compete in the first leg of theU. S. Triple Crown series. Also in that race was sixteen-year-oldSteve Cauthen, the youngest jockey to ever ride in the Kentucky Derby who became its youngest winner aboardAffirmed.[6]
In 1975 Baird was inducted into theFair Grounds Racing Hall of Fame.[7]
References
edit- ^Equibase stats for R. L. Baird
- ^Fair Grounds Hall of Fame Biographies
- ^Chicago Tribune, December 22, 2005 article titled "Bobby Baird: 1920-2005 Jockey's career spanned 6 decades Decorated WW II vet was oldest to ride in Kentucky Derby."
- ^Thoroughbred Times obituary for R.L. "Bobby" Baird
- ^Profile for jockey E. T. Baird
- ^BloodHorse.com, December 19, 2005 obituary"
- ^1975 Press Photo Jockey Robert L. Baird Inducted at Fair Grounds Hall of Fame