Diane Crump: First to the Gate

Pioneer. Competitor. History-maker. In this conversation, trailblazing jockey Diane Crump—the first woman to ride in a pari-mutuel race and later the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby—revisits the 1960s track where she was often the only woman on the backside, the boycotts that tried to keep her out, and the surreal walk to the paddock with an armed guard as the crowd swelled around her. Diane shares why she felt relief, not nerves when the doors finally opened, the grind of galloping 20 a morning while struggling for mounts, and the infamous Puerto Rico match race that turned into a literal tug-of-war at speed.

Alongside host Dr. Ferrin Peterson—professional jockey and veterinarian—Diane reflects on faith, grit, and giving back (from answering kids’ letters to therapy-dog rounds), and offers clear-eyed advice for anyone chasing a hard dream: tune out the naysayers, find your people, and keep riding through the wire.

Highlights

• Breaking the barrier: from illegal on the backside at 14 to the Derby post parade

• Boycotts, headlines, and showing up the next day—taped collarbone and all

• Why cheap horses teach the toughest lessons

• Fans, integrity, and riding hard for every placing

• Faith, kindness, and the long arc of impact

Listen now and share with someone who needs a push to bet on themselves.