Willie Shoemaker is the most famous jockey in the world, holding the world record for victories with nearly 9,000 lifetime wins. Born in Texas, Shoemaker began riding when he was 6, winning his first horse race at the age of 17. He won the Kentucky Derby four times, the Belmont Stakes five times, and the Preakness twice. At the age of 54, Shoemaker was the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. In 1991, just as he was beginning a new career as a trainer, Shoemaker was partially paralyzed in a car crash. He now works with the Paralysis Project, where he serves as honorary chair. He also serves as a director of the Shoemaker Foundation, which provides support to those injured while horseracing, and he continues to train horses.