John Bejshak

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John Joseph Bejshak (September 19, 1909 – December 26, 1969) was a Canadian-born jockey who competed in American Thoroughbred racing. Born in Montreal, he moved to Maryland after being hired by Canadian horseman J. K. L. Ross, and his contract later went to Alfred G. Vanderbilt II, where he met his future father-in-law, trainer Bud Stotler.

In 1933 Bejshak rode Pomponius, Coe’s colt, to fifth place in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Preakness Stakes. For Vanderbilt’s Sagamore Stable, he rode Discovery for most of 1934–1936, helping the superstar become the 1935 American Horse of the Year and winning many major races across the country and in California.

Bejshak’s career was shortened by weight gain, and he retired from riding in 1936. In the 1940s he worked at Laurel Park as custodian of the jockey quarters, patrol judge, clerk of scales, and placing judge. He died of a heart attack in Towson, Maryland, in 1969 at age 60 and is buried at Salisbury IOOF Cemetery in Salisbury, Pennsylvania.

Major wins include:
- Astoria Stakes (1929)
- Fall Highweight Handicap (1930)
- Toboggan Handicap (1930)
- Brooklyn Handicap (1934, 1935)
- Whitney Handicap (1935, 1936)
- Stars and Stripes Handicap (1935)

Bejshak is best remembered as the rider of Discovery, the 1935 Horse of the Year.