Oklahoma-based jockey Randy Wilson won over 2,100 races and earned more than $18.2 million in his riding career.

© Dustin Orona Photography

VIAN, OK–JUNE 18, 2024–Funeral services for longtime Oklahoma jockey Randy Ray Wilson will be held Saturday, June 22, in the Sequoyah Memorial Chapel of Forever Memories Funeral Services in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, with Justin Haywood officiating.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (CDT) in the Sequoyah Memorial Chapel of Forever Memories Funeral Services. The interment will be in Akins Cemetery.

Wilson, 58, of Vian, Oklahoma, died at home on June 15, 2024. He was born in Butler, Missouri, to Jack Wilson Sr and Bonnie Wilson on June 18, 1965.

A longtime race jockey, he rode many top Quarter Horses, winning such races as $861,000 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity aboard Im A Fancy Pyc, Remington Park Distance Handicap(G3) with Docs Dusty Okie, Valley Junction Futurity(G2) with Wrs Leading Edge, Oklahoma Distance Challenge(G3) with First To Ramble; to name only a few. 

"Back in the 1980’s in Sallisaw, Randy was the king," said AQHA Racing Hall of Fame jockey G.R. Carter. "When I started riding,  Randy was the man to beat and someone I strived to try to compete against.  He won so many riding titles back then and really was the top rider in that era."

Wilson mainly rode Quarter Horses but also had many wins aboard Thoroughbreds and Paints. According to Equibase statistics, Wilson won 2,193 races from 18,655 starts, and his mounts earned more than $18.2 million with over $14.1 million in Quarter Horse earnings. Wilson rode his last official race at Will Rogers Downs on November 8, 2020.

He is survived by his siblings, Brian Wilson, Jack Wilson Jr., Ricky Wilson, and Kay Wilson; his mother, Bonnie Wilson; a precious aunt, Martha June Cumpton; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

Wilson is preceded in death by his father, Jack B. Wilson Sr.

Brian Wilson, Jack Wilson Jr., Rick Wilson, Cale Wilson, Frank Greenhaw, and Denny Halcomb will be active pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers are Mike Bailey, Roger Smith, Cody Smith, Anthony Nicholls, Orrin Cogburn, Gene Mudd, and Mike Curtis.

The family has entrusted the arrangements to Forever Memories Funeral Services, Inc.