Nicholas Shuk (September 30, 1930 – October 1983) was an American jockey in thoroughbred horse racing. He began his career in 1948 as a contract rider for Art Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelersfootball team. In the 1950s, Shuk won the Maryland jockey title seven times and was the leading jockey at Delaware Park Racetrack three times. He handled such stars as Art Rooney's Little Harp, Brazen Brat, Cida, Tuscany, and Singing Beauty. Shuk rode Laffango, one of the top two-year-olds of 1952.
Nick Shuk served as a mentor to riders such as Stewart Elliott who rode Smarty Jones to victory in the Kentucky Derby.[2] He was considered by jockeys such as Bill Hartack to be one of the finest gate riders.[3]
Well into his fifties, Nick Shuk remained in remarkable condition despite numerous spills and traumas on the track. At age 50, he rode 510 races and scored 47 victories.[4] In 1983, he succumbed to cancer after winning 2,668 races in his career. He was living in Laurel, Maryland at the time of his passing in 1983.
In 2001, John M. Toothman published his biography title The Reinsman: The Nick Shuk Story. (ISBN978-1588984340)
Referencesedit
^Toothman, John M. (4 June 2001). The Reinsman: The Nick Shuk Story. ISBN1588984346.
nick, shuk, nicholas, shuk, september, 1930, october, 1983, american, jockey, thoroughbred, horse, racing, began, career, 1948, contract, rider, rooney, owner, pittsburgh, steelers, football, team, 1950s, shuk, maryland, jockey, title, seven, times, leading, j. Nicholas Shuk September 30 1930 October 1983 was an American jockey in thoroughbred horse racing He began his career in 1948 as a contract rider for Art Rooney owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team In the 1950s Shuk won the Maryland jockey title seven times and was the leading jockey at Delaware Park Racetrack three times He handled such stars as Art Rooney s Little Harp Brazen Brat Cida Tuscany and Singing Beauty Shuk rode Laffango one of the top two year olds of 1952 Nick ShukOccupationJockeyBornSeptember 30 1930Downers Grove IllinoisUnited StatesDiedOctober 1983 aged 53 Career wins2 668Major racing winsLaurel Futurity Stakes 1951 Pimlico Cup 1951 1956 Champagne Stakes 1952 Delaware Oaks 1952 Barbara Fritchie Handicap 1952 1958 Ladies Handicap 1952 Hialeah Turf Cup Handicap 1952 Canadian International Stakes 1953 Toboggan Handicap 1953 Gotham Stakes 1953 Jerome Handicap 1953 Monmouth Oaks 1953 Peter Pan Stakes 1953 Rowe Memorial Handicap 1953 1954 Southern Maryland Handicap 1953 Fort McHenry Handicap 1954 Merchants and Citizens Handicap 1954 Spinaway Stakes 1954 Correction Handicap 1955 Leonard Richards Stakes 1955 Dover Stakes 1955 Saranac Handicap 1955 Betsy Ross Stakes 1956 Pageant Stakes 1956 Sapling Stakes 1957 Dixie Handicap 1960 Sussex Stakes 1961 Diamond State Stakes 1961 Buckeye Handicap 1966 Lamplighter Stakes 1966 Racing awardsLeading jockey in Maryland 7 Leading jockey at Delaware Park 3 HonorsNick Shuk Memorial Stakes at Delaware ParkSignificant horsesPilaster Saratoga Damascus Gandharva Aughill Shield Bearer Singing Beauty Tuscany Navy Page Grecian Queen Jolly Jet Brazen Brat Little Harp Plion Invigorator Laffango Big Mo Sailor Shuk rode in the Kentucky Derby the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes with his best finish coming in the 1955 Preakness with Montpelier Stable s colt Saratoga who finished second to Nashua He won the Monmouth Oaks in 1953 with Grecian Queen who was later chosen American Champion Three Year Old Filly 1 Nick Shuk served as a mentor to riders such as Stewart Elliott who rode Smarty Jones to victory in the Kentucky Derby 2 He was considered by jockeys such as Bill Hartack to be one of the finest gate riders 3 Well into his fifties Nick Shuk remained in remarkable condition despite numerous spills and traumas on the track At age 50 he rode 510 races and scored 47 victories 4 In 1983 he succumbed to cancer after winning 2 668 races in his career He was living in Laurel Maryland at the time of his passing in 1983 In 2001 John M Toothman published his biography title The Reinsman The Nick Shuk Story ISBN 978 1588984340 References edit Toothman John M 4 June 2001 The Reinsman The Nick Shuk Story ISBN 1588984346 Unlikely Ride to Top Toothman John M 4 June 2001 The Reinsman The Nick Shuk Story ISBN 1588984346 Beyer November 17 1981 page D1 D2 dead link Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nick Shuk amp oldid 1198197253, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
