| 1931 | Born August 19 in Fabens, Texas to parents Bebe and Ruby Shoemaker |
| 1949 | Makes first professional ride on March 19 |
| 1950 | Marries Virginia McLaughlin |
| 1955 | Has first Kentucky Derby victory |
| 1957 | Loses Kentucky Derby after misjudging finish line |
| 1960 | Divorced from first wife |
| 1961 | Marries Babs Bayer on November 29 |
| 1968 | Breaks femur in riding accident |
| 1969 | Breaks pelvis, ruptures bladder, and damages nerves in paddock accident |
| 1978 | Divorced by second wife effective March 6 |
| 1978 | Marries Cindy Barnes on March 7 |
| 1979 | Wins Marlboro Cup on Spectacular Bid |
| 1986 | Wins Kentucky Derby at age fifty-four |
| 1990 | Retires from race riding |
| 1991 | Paralyzed in automobile accident |
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