Trailblazing Through the Tracks: The Journey of Sherry Mickle A Horse Jockey

In the exhilarating world of horse racing, where thundering hooves and adrenaline-fueled competition reign supreme, few tales rival the inspiring journey of one of the sport's pioneers: Sherry Mickle .?

As a close friend, Sherry has become a source of inspiration to my entire family. Having met her through my wife Marta, whom she rides with at Wateree Hounds in South Carolina, I’ve had the privilege of learning her story of being a professional rider between the years 1972-1986, and having won over 450 races. The amount of passion and hard work which she dedicated to her craft is one which I want to share with everyone and encourage individuals who are all seeking to master their own chosen craft.?

So, without further ado, I hope you gain inspiration, as well as some knowledge around the life of a jockey, with my personal feature of Sherry Mitchell.?

A trailblazer in her own right, Sherry’s story is not just about breaking barriers but also about a lifelong love affair with horses that began amidst the gentle rhythm of pony rides.

From the early years of childhood, Sherry’s affinity for horses was evident. Born into a family in the eastern portion of the United States, her parents ran a Nickels Grove amusement park that offered pony rides to children.

?It was here, amidst the hay-scented air and the soft nickers of ponies, that Sherry’s passion for horses took root. With each ride, she forged a bond with these majestic creatures, their strength and grace captivating her young heart.

As Sherry grew older, her connection with horses deepened, evolving from leisurely rides to a fervent desire to ride competitively. Despite the prevailing gender norms that relegated women to the sidelines of horse racing, Sherry remained undeterred. With unwavering determination and a steely resolve, she embarked on a journey to defy convention and carve her own path in the male-dominated world of horse racing.

Sherry’s journey to becoming one of the first American female horse jockeys was not without its challenges. She faced skepticism and opposition at every turn, with many doubting her ability to compete against seasoned riders. Undeterred by the naysayers, Sherry honed her skills with unwavering dedication, spending countless hours in the saddle, mastering the art of balance, speed, and precision.

For Sherry, her racing career began with barrel racing and pole bending. Since her father noticed her passion for horses, he worked overtime as a cop in order to purchase Sherry, a half broke quarter horse mustang, who dumped me on a regular basis when she was 10 years old. This was a dream granted for Sherry and she trained him in barrel racing and pole bending until she was 17. With the money she won from the races, she put herself through a year of college; but despite her mother’s disapproval, she dropped out to focus on her horse racing full time.?

Having made this decision, Sherry was determined more than ever to prove she could make it in horse racing. So, she set off to find someone who would be willing to bet on her, just as much as she was. Lucky for her, she did.?

A horse trainer took her under his wing and had her training and racing horses across the northern part of the U.S. and Canada. Even though she had to drive over a half hour each day to get there in the early morning or leave in the dead of night, Sherry was determined to hone her craft. She told me that for the first few months she was both so excited and afraid that she had this opportunity that she’d have to pull over on the side of the road because she felt so sick over it. However, she recounted that once she was on the track, all her nerves disappeared.

She first raced quarter horses, but after a bad fall she? decided to switch to thoroughbred racing where there was more money to be made anyway. No surprise though, her hard work would pay off and she became one of the first female riders to have a license at Green Mountain in Vermont.??

After this however, Sherry’s breakthrough moment came when she was granted the opportunity to compete in her first professional race. With her heart pounding and adrenaline coursing through her veins, Sherry took to the track, her eyes fixed on the finish line.?

She would go on to win her first thoroughbred race at Green Mountain Park in VT, where she also met her husband. Together they raced and dated against one another for seven years; him having 1,500 wins making their total combined over 2,000. They both rode together all over the East Coast. These included Finger Lakes, Saratoga, Suffolk Downs, Near Gansett Park, Lincoln Downs, Rockingham Park, Delaware Park, Gulfstream Florida. Where finally she beat her to-be husband of seven years, due to the fact that in the 1970s and 1980s a husband and wife were not allowed to race against each other even though a father and son were allowed, two brothers or even two sisters were all allowed to race against; in a tight race she won the race. She beat her to-be husband into second place where the other riders threw him off into a lake.

However, Sherry made a point to mention that getting granted the opportunity to race was no feeble task. Sherry first had to have an agent and then learn the art of selling herself to the owner of the race horses themselves. She told me there was a lot to consider. For instance, the weight of the rider, which when she was racing many owners saw her at an apprentice weight, which created the stigma that girls may be too weak to race horses. Sherry, however, would prove this to be incorrect. Owners also looked at the riders career, sometimes having them test ride and so on. If she was picked, she would be able to ride 3-6 horses in one given day.?

You see, despite what Hollywood portrays in movies like Black Beauty and Secretariat, not all jockey’s know their horses. Sherry explained to me that on many occasions she’d mount a horse and have to get a ‘feel’ for how it rode in a matter of 10 minutes when the horse trotted from the stable to the starting gate. She told us that as a jockey you have to be intuitive, and lean on your understanding of how the other riders you're racing against tend to ride. She pulled back the emerald curtain for us and explained that you have to know the other jockeys you are riding with. When she was racing they all knew each other, especially the girls. So, if she knew a particular rider in front of her hits left-handed going down the lane then she would know that the? guy is coming off the rail. This in turn would allow her to get through on him if she remained patient. She’d wait until he hit the horse left-handed, which would cause his horse to draft off the rail and allow her to get through.?

She explained that there’s nothing more important and helpful than to know the other riders. Sherry told us that though they raced against one another, and knew each other's ‘tricks’ or habits, they still looked out for one another too. She recounted how she knew of several riders during her time that were not safe, and therefore she would warn some of the other riders about them. The same was true if she knew a horse had bad habits that could possibly be damaging towards a rider. She said they all gave this advice to each other, because racing is a very dangerous living, so most of them always tried to be kind to each other.?

?Apart from knowing the other riders or being warned about a particular horse, Sherry told me: “You better hold on for dear life.”

Against all odds, Sherry had countless moments when she emerged victorious, crossing the finish line in a blaze of glory, her name etched in the annals of horse racing history.

And even after one fateful race, where she broke her femur, Sherry continued to rise, blazing a trail for future generations of female horse jockeys. Her career took her to races such as the famous Saratoga Springs, as well as being a chosen rider at Holly Hill, SC for Lucien Lauren who was the trainer of the triple Crown winner Secretariat. Her fearless spirit and unyielding passion have inspired countless others to pursue their dreams, regardless of gender or circumstance.?

Today, Sherry stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment, a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring bond between human and horse. Having hung up her professional racing career back in 2001, Sherry now remains close to the horse community and as a beacon of guidance for any rider seeking to live a similar career, particularly the thousands of now women riders out there today.?

As she reflects on her journey, Sherry remains humbled by the love and support she has received from her family, her fans, and now her own beloved horses. She continues her passion and raises horses on her own farm which she had with her late husband.?

At her stable she took retired race horses under her wing and retrained them for other purposes. She showed everyone these horses could have second careers apart from racing too. These careers included jumping, hunting, and so on.

For Sherry, horse racing is not just a sport, but a way of life, a journey of self-discovery and fulfillment that continues to shape her into the formidable jockey she is today. And as she gallops towards the horizon, her spirit unbridled and her eyes set on new horizons, Sherry shows us all that with passion, perseverance, and a little bit of courage, anything is possible.