Hall of Fame jockey Walter Blum dies at 89

Hall of Fame jockey Walter Blum died Thursday at age 89.

During his career, which spanned over two decades, he won 4,382 races and earned over $26 million in purses. Blum's death was first reported by Matt Hegarty of Daily Racing Form. According to a report by Rob Charry of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the cause was lung cancer.

Blum's son, Walter Blum Jr., also mentioned his father's death in a public Facebook post Thursday. "The world lost a star last night," he said. "I love you with all my heart Dad...I'm going to miss you so much."

Blum was based in New York through most of his riding career, which spanned from 1953 until 1977. He won major races across the country including the Santa Anita Derby, Florida Derby, Whitney Handicap, Coaching Club American Oaks, and two editions of the Met Mile. His one win in a 3-year-old classic came in the 1971 Belmont Stakes, when he and Pass Catcher spoiled the triple crown bid of Cañonero II.

After Blum retired from the saddle, he remained involved in racing by becoming a racing official. He started as an association steward at Atlantic City Race Course before becoming a state steward in Florida.

“I loved being a jockey but you can’t do that forever,” Blum said in a 2021 New York Racing Association news release. “I enjoyed being an official almost as much as riding. The people riding under me, I knew their problems and I knew them (as people). They respected me for what I knew and how I acted. That’s why I became a steward; I always respected the stewards I rode under and I always knew that it was something I wanted to do when I stopped riding. That helped me retire and it was one of the best things I ever did. I left with a good reputation as a jockey and a steward, and I’m very proud of both.”