Jockey Perry Compton

Born: 06/08/1952, Redfield South Dakota

Resides: Columbus, Nebraska

Family: Dixie, wife; Jayed, daughter; Trysten, son 

On March 29, 2009 at Oaklawn, Perry rode five winners, among them Ain’t He a Pistol in the $50,000 Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes. 

“I am beginning my forty first year as a jockey. When you have been around as long as I, you should have a few of those days,” said Compton, who is 57 and at 5’8”, is particularly tall for a jockey.  

Last year at Oaklawn, Perry won with 15 of his 132 mounts. 

Racing historians point out that on February 19, 2000 at Fonner Park, Compton won seven races on one program. 

On a recent morning, Perry talked about his long riding career. 

“I grew up about a block from the little track at Fort Pierre, South Dakota. There were several of us buddies that ran around together and attended the races there. I rode awhile and then left the saddle to complete my education. I weighed 102 pounds. After finishing school, I resumed riding, but now weighed 112,” remembered Compton. 

The racing records show that Compton rode his first winner, August 2, 1969, it coming at Park Jefferson, South Dakota. 

A brother, Jim, rode and is now training horses.  A third brother, Bobby, was killed in a starting gate accident at Canterbury Downs, several years ago. 

“Back when my jockey days started, I had no idea of riding as long as I have,” Perry remarked.  “Can it have been more than 40 years ago?” 

On two occasions, Compton has ridden in the Breeders’ Cup, once on Cadillac Women and once on Evansville Slew. In 1991, I finished third on Cadillac Women in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. I had won the Palatine Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Arlington on her. I won the 1994 Arlington-Washington Futurity on Evansville Slew,” he remembered. 

Perry often rode Delta Wolf. 

“I won several stakes on him. He remains a personal favorite,” Compton said.              

Twice Perry won the Ak-Sar-Ben Board of Governors’ Handicap, winning with Swingin Sway in 1989 and Lance in 1991. Twice he won the Ak-Sar-Ben Laddie; in 1988 with Justa Pro and in 1990 with Magnum G.I. 

“I have concentrated my riding mostly in the Midwest. I have ridden, but not a lot, on the east and west coasts,” he declared.             

He rode at Oaklawn early in the 2006 meeting, and then went on to Hawthorne. He rode at the Spa in 2007 and did so well, he decided to make Hot Springs a regular stop of his itinerary. 

In 2008 he rode 119 Oaklawn horses, from which 13 won. His mounts earned $238,910 here that meeting. 

From time to time, Perry is asked if he has given any thought to retiring as a jockey. 

“Occasionally, but it is usually in the autumn. So often, in the autumn, horses you have been riding start showing wear and tear from racing. Not so in the spring, when your horses are fresh and a new year is beginning.          I have never thought about retiring in the spring. The new year might be a big one for you and you don’t want to walk away from it,” commented Compton.