Joe Aitcheson, Jr.

[Edward DeVere]

Joe Aitcheson, Jr., America's greatest steeplechase jockey, died Saturday.

In re-reading this story from 1971, I am reminded once again that Benjamin Franklin Deford III is one of the greatest writers, sports or otherwise, this country has ever produced.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...01/1/index.htm

[Edward DeVere]

Washington Post remembrance of Joe Aitcheson, Jr.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports...bcf_story.html

[NJ Stinks]

Thanks for posting the links, Edward.

Nobody could accuse DeFord of not knowing what he was talking about here. His description of U.S. steeplechase racing was spot on.

As for Joe Aitcheson, he rode before I became aware of jump races. But he surely was an exceptional jump jockey by any standard.

RIP, Joe.

[aliancia]

I remember seeing him at Saratoga every summer in the 60s: a tall guy, walking stiffly to the paddock, often wearing shoulder pads. I was always amazed.