Retired top jockey Lambert dies at age 74

Jerry Lambert, one of California's leading jockeys through

the 1960s and '70s, was found dead Monday morning at his place of employment, Magali Farms in Santa Ynez, California, by his daughter, Lacey, who is also employed

at the farm.

Born in Clyde, Kansas, on December 27, 1940, Lambert, 74, was best known as

the regular rider of the jet-black Hall of Fame gelding Native Diver, with whom

Lambert won three consecutive Hollywood Gold Cups in 1965-67. "The Black Horse," as Lambert often referred to him, had a keen

temperament and front-running style that was perfectly complemented by Lambert's

deft touch.

"He was a great rider," retired Hall of Fame jockey Donald Pierce said. "I

rode with him from the time he came to California in 1961 until I retired (early

1984). Anytime he was in a race, you had to deal with him because he didn't make

mistakes. He was very quiet, very low key and he'd come and beat you when you'd

least expect it. He was a lot like Shoe. He was very quiet to be around and to

ride with."

Santa Anita's leading winter/spring meet rider in 1967-'68

with 77 winners in 72 days of racing, "Clyde," as he was known to his

contemporaries, was also leading rider at Santa Anita's Oak Tree Meeting in 1972

with 30 winners. Known as a great judge of pace and blessed with light hands and

a cool demeanor, Lambert's career was often stymied by his love of the outdoors,

which resulted in a number of protracted absences from the saddle.

"Not too many people out-rode Shoemaker, but Jerry had him

in his hip pocket that day," said trainer Tom Proctor, who was a 16-year-old

groom at the time. "He had Shoe in a bad spot going into the first turn and

again when they turned for home. He had Shoe where he wanted him and he drifted

out, so Shoe had to come inside.

"I never saw my dad get nervous, but he was that day. There were 53,000

'paid' there and from the time the horses came into the old paddock in front of

the grandstand, I don't think anyone sat down. Jerry was a horse-backer and that

was a big win for Glen Hill Farm."

Lambert enjoyed a career resurgence in 1987, riding at Bay

Meadows and Golden Gate Fields for trainers such as Jack Arterburn and Jerry

Dutton, but his roll was derailed when he sustained a life-threatening spill

going into the far turn at Pleasanton in July 1987, which resulted in a broken

cheekbone, broken ankle and collapsed lung.

Commenting on the incident in a Los Angeles Times article on February

1, 1988, veteran turf writer and handicapper Gordon Jones said, "Too bad. Jerry

Lambert was riding as well as I've ever seen him ride, and then for that to

happen..."

Lambert was a winner of the 1995 Darley Award, given

annually to America's top Arabian-bred jockey and he finished up his riding

career at Los Alamitos, where he dominated the track's Arabian-bred standings

from 1994-1998.

"Jerry may've had the best set of hands I've ever seen," Los Al track announcer Ed Burgart

stated. "He sat a horse perfect and he never abused his mounts. They ran out of

their minds for Jerry, he just had that magic touch."