Class of 2008
Bobby Corle
As a teenager Bobby went to Bedford High School, this was before there was a Chestnut Ridge School District. He wrestled for Hall of Fame Coach Whitey Koontz for three years, winning the District 5 95-pound championship in 1954. He was also a football manager under the school trainer, Eddie Clark for three years.
When he was being fitted for a varsity wrestling and football jacket by Art Hine, Art told Bobby that he should become a jockey. Art who had a big interest in thoroughbred racing fitted Corle with the proper shoes and dress. Hine introduced Bobby to the famous trainer Bill Irwin, who taught Corle everything he knew about the racing business.
After many hour of training and 53 races, Bobby got his first win on January 31, 1958 at Sunshine Park, Florida on a horse named Guy's Birthday which paid $121.80 for a $2 ticket.
In 1958 Bobby's Mom, Dad, and family came to Delaware Park to see him race for the first time. His agent advised Bobby's parent to bet $2 on the Daily Double. They did and Bobby won both races. His parents won $221 and his dad kept one of the $100 bills in his wallet until he died.
After his first win other wins came more rapidly. At Laurel, Maryland he won four races in one day and numerous times he rode three winners in Maryland, Delaware, Atlantic City, Pimlico, and other major tracks. At Delaware Park, Corle had 19 winners in 19 days (1958), but his best day was at Laurel Park when he won five races, including the feature race, in one day in 1960.
In 1958 and 1959, Corle was one of the top ten apprentice jockeys in the United States and he rode more winners than any jockey in Maryland. Also in 1959, Corle was the leading jockey at Delaware Park, Pimlico, and Atlantic City.
It was not all peaches and cream as Corle fractured his jaw and broke a leg in a bad spill at Timonium. Corle healed quickly and he was back in the saddle in a short time.
In 1963 Corle was the leading jockey at several parks. Corle was making headlines in the Washington Post, New York Press, Baltimore Sun, Bedford Gazette, and other publications for his riding ability as a jockey. Bedford, Pennsylvania and Bedford High School was mentioned numerous times in the various articles about Corle as a jockey.
Bobby recalls that he won races against some of the big name jockeys at that time, Eddie Arcoro, Willie Shoemaker, and Bill Hartack, but he admitted that they beat him many more times.
After 11 years as a jockey, Bobby gave up riding in races and became a professional thoroughbred horse trainer for four years. In 1970 Bobby returned to Bedford County.
After he returned to Bedford County, Bobby went to work for Penn Dot. He is now retired. He also enjoyed running the yard makers for the Chestnut Ridge football games for the past 35 years.
Bobby and his wife Barb reside in Imler. They have three children Cindy, Bobby Jr., and Laurie.
As a teenager Bobby went to Bedford High School, this was before there was a Chestnut Ridge School District. He wrestled for Hall of Fame Coach Whitey Koontz for three years, winning the District 5 95-pound championship in 1954. He was also a football manager under the school trainer, Eddie Clark for three years.
When he was being fitted for a varsity wrestling and football jacket by Art Hine, Art told Bobby that he should become a jockey. Art who had a big interest in thoroughbred racing fitted Corle with the proper shoes and dress. Hine introduced Bobby to the famous trainer Bill Irwin, who taught Corle everything he knew about the racing business.
After many hour of training and 53 races, Bobby got his first win on January 31, 1958 at Sunshine Park, Florida on a horse named Guy's Birthday which paid $121.80 for a $2 ticket.
In 1958 Bobby's Mom, Dad, and family came to Delaware Park to see him race for the first time. His agent advised Bobby's parent to bet $2 on the Daily Double. They did and Bobby won both races. His parents won $221 and his dad kept one of the $100 bills in his wallet until he died.
After his first win other wins came more rapidly. At Laurel, Maryland he won four races in one day and numerous times he rode three winners in Maryland, Delaware, Atlantic City, Pimlico, and other major tracks. At Delaware Park, Corle had 19 winners in 19 days (1958), but his best day was at Laurel Park when he won five races, including the feature race, in one day in 1960.
In 1958 and 1959, Corle was one of the top ten apprentice jockeys in the United States and he rode more winners than any jockey in Maryland. Also in 1959, Corle was the leading jockey at Delaware Park, Pimlico, and Atlantic City.
It was not all peaches and cream as Corle fractured his jaw and broke a leg in a bad spill at Timonium. Corle healed quickly and he was back in the saddle in a short time.
In 1963 Corle was the leading jockey at several parks. Corle was making headlines in the Washington Post, New York Press, Baltimore Sun, Bedford Gazette, and other publications for his riding ability as a jockey. Bedford, Pennsylvania and Bedford High School was mentioned numerous times in the various articles about Corle as a jockey.
Bobby recalls that he won races against some of the big name jockeys at that time, Eddie Arcoro, Willie Shoemaker, and Bill Hartack, but he admitted that they beat him many more times.
After 11 years as a jockey, Bobby gave up riding in races and became a professional thoroughbred horse trainer for four years. In 1970 Bobby returned to Bedford County.
After he returned to Bedford County, Bobby went to work for Penn Dot. He is now retired. He also enjoyed running the yard makers for the Chestnut Ridge football games for the past 35 years.
Bobby and his wife Barb reside in Imler. They have three children Cindy, Bobby Jr., and Laurie.
Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County, Pennsylvania