Dooley Adams

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Frank David “Dooley” Adams (1927–2004) was an American steeplechase jockey who is in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (inducted in 1970). He was born in Port Chester, New York, and grew up around horse racing. His father Frank managed the Watertown Hunt in Connecticut, and his mother Clara trained thoroughbreds. The family moved to the San Diego area in the late 1930s, and Dooley rode his first winner in 1941 at Agua Caliente in Mexico at age 14. The family later returned to the East and settled in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Dooley Adams became one of the sport’s top riders, winning 301 races and earning seven National Steeplechase Association championships, including five consecutive titles from 1951 to 1955. He posted three seasons with 30 or more wins, and in 1954 he set a then-record of 38 wins. Only Joe Aitcheson has since surpassed that total. He rode notable horses such as Neji, Elkridge, Oedipus (inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978), and Ancestor.

A key horse in his story was Refugio, purchased for $300 by his parents. Refugio won on both the flat and over jumps at Agua Caliente and later competed on the U.S. circuit, finishing third in the 1946 American Grand National. Adams rode Refugio in the 1947 English Grand National, finishing seventh among 57 starters; 40 horses did not finish the course. The Adams family farm was later named Refugio Farm in honor of the horse.

Dooley Adams won major races including four Saratoga Steeplechase Handicaps and Beverwyck Steeplechase Handicaps, three Brook National Steeplechase Handicaps, and victories in the Harbor Hill Steeplechase Handicap, Temple Gwathmey, and two American Grand National Steeplechases. He retired from racing at age 29.

He died in 2004 in Southern Pines, North Carolina. He was survived by his son Frank Michael Adams, daughter Melissa Adams, sister Joan W. Ketcham, and four grandchildren. The paddock at the Stoneybrook race course in the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, North Carolina, was named in his honor after his death, and he is buried at Refugio Farm in Southern Pines.