Referred to by the media as both "Bill" and "Willie" (Hartack detested being called "Willie") during his racing career, Hartack grew up on a farm in the Blacklick Township area of
Cambria County, Pennsylvania. His mother died from injuries in an automobile accident in 1940, when Hartack was 8. Small in stature, at age 17 he stood 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m) and weighed 111 lb (50 kg), a size that enabled him to pursue a career as a jockey in
Thoroughbred horse racing. By his third season of racing, Hartack was the
United States' leading jockey in both wins and money earned. He would go on to win a National Champion title six times. He and
Eddie Arcaro are the only two jockeys to ever win the
Kentucky Derby five times. As well, Hartack won the
Preakness Stakes three times and the
Belmont Stakes once. He rode
Tim Tam to victory in the 1958
Florida Derby but a week before the Kentucky Derby, Hartack broke a leg and had to give up his ride on Tim Tam to replacement jockey Ismael Valenzuela, who won the Derby. During his riding career between 1953 and 1974 in the United States, Hartack rode 4,272 winners in 21,535 mounts. From 1974 to 1980 he raced in
Hong Kong, then retired in 1981. Hartack led the nation in races won four times, and was the first rider to have purse earnings of $3 million in a season. After he retired as a jockey, Hartack worked as a steward as well as other racing officials for the rest of his life. Hartack made the cover of
Sports Illustrated magazine in 1956 and again in 1964, plus the cover of the 10 February 1958 issue of
Time, which he always refused to sign as it showed his first name as "Willie," which he detested. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1959 at the early age of 26. In 1967, Hartack authored (with Whitney Tower) a three-part series in
Sports Illustrated titled "A Hard Ride All The Way." Published in the March 27, April 3 & April 10 issues, the series chronicled Hartack's life and included his frequent run-ins and disputes with owners, trainers, racing officials and members of the press. Winners ridden in
Triple Crown Classic races : •
Kentucky Derby: :1957 :
Iron Liege :1960 :
Venetian Way :1962 :
Decidedly :1964 :
Northern Dancer :1969 :
Majestic Prince •
Preakness Stakes: :1956 :
Fabius :1964 : Northern Dancer :1969 : Majestic Prince •
Belmont Stakes: :1960 :
Celtic Ash ==Death==