WORLD'S TALLEST HORSE RACING JOCKEY: Ex-NBA player Manute Bol standing over 2 meters tall

One of the tallest basketball players ever at 2.31 metres (7 foot 7) tall became the tallest jockey ever in 2003.

World Horse Racing Trending: Manute Bol

Manute Bol was born in Turalei, Sudan becoming famous as a professional basketball player in the United States.
His incredible height, following on from his parents who were both over 2 metres (6 foot 6) tall, helped him become of the best shot blockers in the sport.
He still remains the only player in NBA history to have blocked more shots than points scored.
He left the NBA in 1995 and retired from basketball permanently in 1998, and it was in 2003 that Hoosier Park, Indianapolis, announced he would become the world’s tallest horse racing jockey.
If they could find a horse big enough…
On October 18, 2003, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission officially licensed Bol to ride.
He became the tallest licensed jockey in the state, and unofficially, the world.
Manute Bol did all this to raise money for charities back in war-torn Sudan, for which he was known to have donated almost all of his earnings - around US $4m.
He was so serious about his homeland that he was fined by his club for missing two games when busy organising peace talks with Sudanese rebel leaders in Washington.
Before taking up the saddle, he had success gaining awareness in other sports appearing in the boxing ring and signing up to a one-day contract to play ice hockey.
He didn’t ride in a race due to a problem with his arthritic joints, his main aim had been to bring awareness to the Sudanese plight.
And so, kitted out in extra-large jockey breeches and silks, he instead enjoyed a day in the winners’ enclosure during the racing.
Manute Bol died in June 2010 from kidney failure and complications with a rare skin disease.
He was buried back in his homeland, now South Sudan, receiving a memorial service in Washington, D.C. and was even honoured on the floor of the United States’ Senate.
The tallest jockey in the world will be remembered as a true giant off the court, as well as out of the saddle.

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