Martinez Heath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Martinez Heath |
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|---|---|
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Born | May 4, 1945 Warm Springs, Oregon |
| Died | October 16, 2006 (aged 61) Warm Springs, Oregon |
| Major racing wins | |
| Swaps Handicap (1966) Equipoise Mile (1967) Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (1968) Michigan Mile And One-Eighth Handicap (1968) SNARO Handicap (1968, 1970) Black Gold Stakes (1969) Fair Grounds Oaks (1970) Thanksgiving Handicap (1970) |
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| Significant horses | |
| Nodouble | |
Martinez "Marty" Heath (born May 4, 1945 – died October 16, 2006) was a famous Native American jockey. A jockey is a person who rides horses in horse races. Martinez Heath was known for his skill in thoroughbred horse racing. He was born on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Oregon. His father was Chief Nathan Heath, and his brother Delvis Heath is the current chief.
Contents
Who Was Martinez Heath?
Martinez Heath was a talented jockey from the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. He started his career at a young age. He became well-known for his riding skills across the United States.
Early Life and Beginnings
As a boy, Martinez Heath showed early signs of talent. He even won the Oregon marbles championship. By the time he was sixteen, he began his career as a professional jockey. This career would last for twenty-five years.
A Career in Horse Racing
Martinez Heath started riding professionally at the Portland Meadows race track in Portland, Oregon. He then rode at other tracks in Oregon, Northern California, and the American Midwest. He quickly became a successful rider.
Racing Highlights and Achievements
In 1967, Martinez Heath had an amazing day at the Fresno Fair Race Track in Fresno, California. He won seven races on a single race card. This means he won seven different races in one day!
He also rode a famous horse named Nodouble. Nodouble was known as an American Champion Older Male Horse. Together, Martinez Heath and Nodouble won important races in 1968. These wins included the Hawthorne Gold Cup and the Michigan Mile And One-Eighth Handicap.
Other notable races Martinez Heath won include:
- The Swaps Handicap in 1966
- The Equipoise Mile in 1967
- The SNARO Handicap in 1968 and 1970
- The Black Gold Stakes in 1969
- The Fair Grounds Oaks in 1970
- The Thanksgiving Handicap in 1970
Later Life
Martinez Heath passed away in 2006 when he was sixty-one years old. He was buried in the cemetery near the Warm Springs River in Oregon. His legacy as a skilled jockey continues to be remembered.
