Smith, Robyn (1942–)

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Smith, Robyn (1942–)

American jockey. Name variations: Melody Dawn Miller; Caroline Smith; Robyn Caroline Smith; Robyn Astaire. Born Melody Dawn Miller, Aug 14, 1942, in San Francisco, CA; m. Fred Astaire (actor and dancer), 1980 (died 1987).

Received jockey's license (1969); rode in 1st race at Golden Gate Park and finished 2nd (April 5, 1969); went on to ride in 40 races on the California country fair circuit; raced at the prestigious Aqueduct track in Queens (Dec 5, 1969), managing a 5th-place finish in a close race on Exotic Bird; won 18-20% of her races against horses with better records (early 1970s); became a regular rider for Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt's stable; was the 1st woman jockey to win a stakes race (Mar 1, 1973), riding North Sea to victory in the $27,450 Paumanok Handicap at the Aqueduct; retired (1975).

See also Lynn Haney, The Lady is a Jock (Dodd, 1973); Fern G. Brown, Racing Against the Odds: Robyn C. Smith (juvenile, 1976); and Women in World History.