William John Hartack Jr. (December 9, 1932 – November 26, 2007), born in Colver, Pennsylvania, was a Hall of Fame jockey. Colver is in the northwestern part of Cambria Township, 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Ebensburg, the county seat.
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, going on to win that honor on three more occasions.
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 PrincePreakness Stakes:1956 : Fabius
1964 : Northern Dancer
1969 : Majestic PrinceBelmont Stakes:1960 : Celtic Ash
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Some of their strengths
William John Hartack has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Intelligent, Generous, Strong, Trustworthy, Sensual, and Perseverent.
Adventurous and Independent
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, William John Hartack is someone who is an adventurous, independent, and energetic person, who is insightful, imaginative, generous, and honest. A person who is known for being a good partner.
Strong and Resilient
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know William John Hartack well know them as someone who can be strong, expansive, and stable like a big tree.
Productive and Perseverent
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe William John Hartack as someone who is productive, persevering, deliberate, and direct.
A person who is creative, has good luck with work and money, good listening skills, good relationships with people at work, is a good teacher or counselor, and who is good at organizing groups, teams, or causes.
Easygoing and Energetic
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, William John Hartack is someone who has an easygoing nature and a healthy sense of humor, with a mind that requires constant stimulation in order to feel fulfilled.
They are also someone who is patient, assertive, and who is a natural leader that likes to help others in need.
Optimistic and Quick-witted
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, William John Hartack tends to be someone who is optimistic and spontaneous, and who has a clear and analytical mind. Who can be witty, with a happy-go-lucky- nature that makes others cheerful, and who possesses an adventurous zest for life.
Some of William John Hartack's challenges
While William John Hartack has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, William John Hartack can be Stubborn, Self-centered, Pleasure-seeking, Impulsive, Careless, Idle, and Hypocritical.
Impulsive and Careless
One of William John Hartack's key challenges is that they are someone who can be impulsive and careless.
William John Hartack must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive, and can be excessive and unrealistic.
Possessive and Stubborn
William John Hartack is someone who can be possessive, jealous, inflexible, and stubborn, can have a habit of being a frivolous spender, and who can feel insecure or cynical in romantic relationships and have difficulty forming productive personal and professional partnerships.
Irritable and Callous
Finally, William John Hartack also can be short-tempered, childish, insensitive, and careless at times.
