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Jockey William Lee 'Bill' Shoemaker's career began on March 19, 1949 at the age of 18, with the first of his victories coming a month later, on April 20, 1949. During his long career, Shoemaker won eleven Triple Crown races, spanning four decades: 4 Kentucky Derbys, 2 Preakness Stakes and 5 Belmont Stakes, as well as one Breeders' Cup Classic. In 1986, he became the oldest jockey ever to win the race at the age of 54. Throughout his career, Shoemaker won 8,833 races and rode for a record 40,350 races. After retiring as a professional jockey in 1990, he returned to the track as a trainer and was modestly successful. He also authored three murder mysteries using his racetrack experience. Shoemaker passed away on October 12, 2003 at the age of 72. Photograph dated May 23, 1958 reads, "Kerr Stables' Round Table starts after his second million tomorrow at Hollywood Park in $100,000 added Californian. Bill Shoemaker is shown aboard great champion who is undefeated this year in seven starts and boasts lifetime earnings of $1,005, 764."
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