Septuagenarian 'Iron Man' jockey defies his age to become oldest to ride winner

A 70-year-old jockey, nicknamed the ‘Iron Man’, has passed another amazing milestone.

Perry Ouzts, who has been riding for 51 years, stands fifth by wins in North America with a haul of 7,449 wins. He is the only professional rider among the top five who is still active and is currently riding at Belterra Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has ridden 30 winners this year.

Ouzts broke the record on Wednesday, the day after he celebrated his 70th birthday with a steak dinner, according to the Paulick Report. “I’m giving the geriatrics some hope,” he said when told by the website of his latest landmark.

Ouzts, who was raised in Riverdale, Arkansas, has been leading rider at Belterra Park an incredible 35 times. During the present meet his 27 wins have come at a 26 per cent strike rate, putting him third in the standings.

In an interview with Thoroughbred Racing Commentary in 2022 he estimated he had broken nearly 40 bones through falls. In 2012 he also survived a 65mph collision between his Harley-Davidson motorbike and a car in 2012, heading back to the racetrack to ride two winners on the day’s card.

Retirement is never far from his mind and Ouzts told the Paulick Report, “This could be my last summer”, adding, “I’ve been trying to quit the last couple of years but my wife won’t let me!

“I can still do it and feel good and like riding, but it’s harder to get mounts. Nobody wants to ride a 70-year-old.” He added: “I don’t want to be like Tom Brady and stay in two years too long.”