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Jockey Perry Ouzts celebrating a five-win day at Belterra Park in 2020
Jockey Perry Ouzts is quickly closing in on history and is only five wins away from becoming the fifth all-time leading rider in North American Thoroughbred history. This year he already has 55 wins, and just a few more at Belterra Park Cincinnati will add another line to his storybook career.
Perry Wayne Ouzts was born July 7, 1954, in Lepanto, Arkansas. His family is deeply entrenched in the sport of kings. Ouzts’ family of Hall of Fame rider Earlie Fires and cousin Jackie Fires, the latter paralyzed in a racing-related accident, played a pinnacle role in his early career.
After taking his tack to Beulah Park in Grove City, Ohio, Ouzts won his first career race in 1973 aboard Rablu. His mount was trained by W. J. Danner, who remains a friend to this day.
Ouzts has found his love for winning races has only grown over time. With over 52,980 mounts, 7,390 wins, and an in the money rate of over 39 percent for his career, it’s easy to see that Ouzts’ love continues to this day.
“I’m gonna ride this train ’til they throw me off,” Ouzts said in the Hennegan Brothers documentary “Ironman.”
Ouzts is at the back end of his career but watch as he wins a race and jogs back slowly enjoying it like a vintage wine or a fine cigar; it is hard to picture the Ohio racing scene without the “Ironman.”
A man of few words, Ouzts lets his riding do the talking. His enthusiasm to get up every morning and give his all is not a common effort found in racing anymore. He’s healthy, he’s happy, and he can be a real motivation for the younger riders in the room. Ouzts chose to stay close to the people who were loyal to him, and he remains loyal to them. That has been a recipe for success he won’t regret.
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