Diane Crump, a pioneering figure in horse racing who broke barriers as the first woman to compete in the Kentucky Derby, has passed away at the age of 77. She died Thursday night in hospice care in Winchester, Virginia, after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in October, according to her daughter, Della Payne.
Crump made history in 1969 when she became the first woman to ride professionally in a horse race. The following year, in 1970, she further solidified her legacy by becoming the first female jockey to participate in the prestigious Kentucky Derby. It would be fourteen years before another woman entered the competition. Since then, only four other women have had the honor of racing in the Derby.
Throughout her career, Crump achieved 228 victories before retiring from racing in 1998, just a month before her 50th birthday. Her groundbreaking ride at Hialeah Park in Florida on February 7, 1969, paved the way for future generations of female jockeys.
During her time, Crump, along with other women, fought for the right to obtain jockey licenses. However, even with licenses in hand, they faced hurdles. They needed trainers willing to give them an opportunity and assurance that the race would proceed without boycotts from male jockeys who opposed women riders.
Mike Anderson, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack, released a statement acknowledging Crump’s impact, stating that she “will be forever respected and fondly remembered in horse racing lore.” He noted that Crump, who had been riding since the age of five and galloping thoroughbreds as a teenager, “was an iconic trailblazer who admirably fulfilled her childhood dreams.”
Chris Goodlett of the Kentucky Derby Museum emphasized Crump’s significance, saying, “Diane Crump’s name stands for courage, grit, and progress. Her determination in the face of overwhelming odds opened doors for generations of female jockeys and inspired countless others far beyond racing.”
After retiring from racing, Crump settled in Virginia, where she established a business assisting individuals in buying and selling horses.
In her later years, Crump dedicated her time to volunteering with her therapy dogs, all dachshunds, visiting patients in hospitals and medical clinics. She regularly visited some patients with chronic illnesses for years.
According to Payne, her mother’s reputation for kindness preceded her. When Crump entered assisted living a month ago, she was already well-known at the medical center due to her years of volunteer work. Doctors and nurses visited her frequently. Her kindness also extended to her community as one of the last people to visit her was her lawnmower.
Payne described her mother as determined and unwavering, saying that Crump never accepted “no” for an answer, whether pursuing her dream of becoming a jockey or helping others in need.
“I wouldn’t say she was as competitive as she was stubborn,” Payne said. “If someone was counting on her, she could never let someone down.”
As a testament to her values, Crump had the words “Kindness” and “Compassion” tattooed on her forearms later in life.
Crump’s remains will be cremated, and her ashes will be interred between her parents in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Front Royal, Virginia.
Her legacy extends beyond horse racing and touches upon themes of perseverance, equality, and service to others.
