Fred Ecoffey, fourth from right, was honored by the Professional Indian Horse Racing Association during the Oglala Nation Fair on August 6, 2016.
Lakota Jockey Honored
By Brandon Ecoffey
Lakota Country Times Editor
lakotacountrytimes.com PINE RIDGE -- Lakota Country is known for producing great horsemen. One of the all-time greats was honored for his life as a jockey in Pine Ridge. As a jockey riding at racetracks across the region Fred Ecoffey started more than 17,522 races, winning 2,683 of them. Just over 2,400 of those wins were earned on tracks located in the state of Nebraska making Ecoffey the winningest jockey in the state's history. "Since breaking his maiden on a horse named Baby Sweeper in 1957, Ecoffey has ridden horses to more than ten million dollars in winnings, while competing full time on the Nebraska racing circuit 6 times he was leading rider at Columbus and Atokad, five times at Fonner Park, and four times at Lincoln," wrote the Nebraska Racing Hall of Fame about Fred when he was inducted into the hall in 1981. The honoring for Fred took place earlier this month during the Oglala Nation Fair held in Pine Ridge. The honoring was part of an effort by the Professional Indian Horse Racing Association to honor past jockeys who paved the way for the modern emergence of Indian Relay.
Fred Ecoffey
"Growing up the daughter of Fred Ecoffey has been amazing. My dad has been my hero all my life. He always made sure my Mom, and my brothers and sisters had a good life," said his daughter Renae. "His dedication to the sport of horse racing, and his family and friends is remarkable. We want to thank the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Calvin Ghost Bear, family, friends and everyone else who made it possible for him to be recognized and honored.” Born the son of the late Frank “Posey” Ecoffey, Fred was raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation near Wounded Knee. With such stellar career numbers one fails to realize that his totals would have likely been far more prolific had he been allowed to mount a thoroughbred prior to his twentieth-birthday. The reason he hadn't was because his father prohibited his son from racing until that age.
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After retiring in 1984 Fred went on to become a track official, clocker, clerk of scales, paddock judge. (Contact Brandon Ecoffey at editor@lakotacountrytimes.com) Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter and download the new Lakota Country Times app today.
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