Mike E. Smith Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Horses, Career Stats

Mike E. Smith is a legendary American jockey whose rise came through sheer grit and extraordinary skill.

Growing up immersed in horse racing, he began riding as a child and steadily built a reputation that would see him become one of the most accomplished riders in Thoroughbred history—leading the field in Breeders’ Cup victories and ultimately steering Justify to a commanding Triple Crown triumph.

Profile

• Full name: Michael Earl Smith
• Date of birth: August 10, 1965
• Age: 60 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Roswell, New Mexico, U.S.
• State of origin: New Mexico
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Jockey
• Height: 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
• Parents: George Smith (father), Vidoll Vallejos (mother)
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Patrice Lively (formerly; divorced), Cynthia Naanouh (married 2019)
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Married
• Net worth: $400 million

Early Life and Education

Mike E. Smith is now at the age of 59.

He was born on August 10, 1965, in Roswell, New Mexico.

His father, George Smith, was a jockey and his uncle a horse trainer, and he spent much of his childhood on his maternal grandparents’ horse farm.

He began riding horses around age 8 and started participating in bush track races at age 11.

He obtained his jockey’s license at age 16 in 1982 and dropped out in the ninth grade to pursue a career in racing.

Personal Life

Mike first married Patrice Lively in 1987; the marriage ended in divorce, and they had no children together.

In 2019, he married Cynthia Naanouh at a private ceremony in Sierra Madre, California.

Career

Over his career spanning more than four decades, Mike E. Smith has amassed over 5,700 wins (with even higher updated counts) and earned more than $336 million in purse earnings, placing him among the top jockeys in history.

He holds the record for Breeders’ Cup wins by a jockey, with 27 victories—securing his status at the pinnacle of the sport.

His career highlights include riding Justify to sweep the 2018 American Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes)—at age 52, making him the oldest jockey to win the Triple Crown.

Smith’s other notable wins include the Kentucky Derby (2005, 2018), Preakness (1993, 2018), Belmont Stakes (2010, 2013, 2018), plus international victories like the Irish 2,000 Guineas in 1991.

His exceptional performance earned him two Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Jockey (1993, 1994), an ESPY Award (1994, 2019), and induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2003.

Awards

• Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey (1993, 1994)
• ESPY Award for Best Jockey (1994, 2019)
• Mike Venezia Memorial Award (1994)
• George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award (2000)
• Bill Shoemaker Award (2012, 2013, 2016)
• Laffit Pincay Jr. Award (2017)
• Inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (2003)

Net worth

Mike E. Smith’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $400 million, which he amassed through years of success as a jockey.

Social Media

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